Biography of TV presenter Sergei Borisovich Brilev

Childhood and adolescence

Sergei was born in the Cuban capital, although Moscow is indicated in his passport in the “Place of Birth” column. These were the rules for Vneshtorg employees, who were his parents, and it should be noted that this circumstance only played into Sergei’s hands. Having become an international journalist, Brilev often visited America, but with Cuban citizenship, entry into this country would have been denied to him. But he, as a native of this country, can fly to Cuba at any time without a visa. The boy spent his entire childhood traveling, in addition to Cuba, visiting Ecuador, Uruguay and other Latin American countries. Thanks to this, he speaks fluent Spanish and English, which have become as familiar to him as Russian.

Biography

Sergei Brilyov is a television journalist, member of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, member of the Academy of Russian Television, deputy director of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Rossiya TV Channel. The only Russian journalist who interviewed two current and two ex-presidents of Russia and the United States.

Sergei Brilev was born into a family of trade representative employees who often went on business trips abroad. The boy was born on July 24, 1972 in Havana and became the only white-skinned child in the Cuban maternity hospital. True, the documents indicate Moscow as the city of birth, because at that time embassy employees were not allowed to register children indicating the actual place of birth. But the Cuban authorities allow Sergei Brilev to fly to Freedom Island without a visa.

TV journalist Sergei Brilev

The journalist spent his childhood in Latin American countries, where his parents worked at the time. Spanish and English became almost native to the young man. Sergei already received his school leaving certificate in Moscow, this was in 1989.

After school, Brilev decided to enter the Faculty of International Journalism at MGIMO, successfully passed the entrance exams and became a student. In parallel with his studies at the university, Sergei improved his language level in Montevideo. In 1995, Brilev graduated from MGIMO and continued his education at the University of Westminster in London, but due to his busy work schedule he never completed his studies.

Student years

Brilev graduated from school in Moscow, and not just any school, but gymnasium No. 109, better known as the “Yamburg school” - a multidisciplinary educational center where students had their own stables, a theater (Sergei happily took part in amateur performances), and a pottery workshop. a circle and even a non-alcoholic bar. By the way, as school director Evgeniy Yamburg later told reporters, in the 80s Brilev took part in the school anarchist circle.

Sergei Brilev in his youth

Having received a matriculation certificate, the young man entered the journalism department of MGIMO and already in his first year distinguished himself by writing a topical article in Komsomolskaya Pravda. The fact is that in 1990, in all the capital’s universities, such a subject as “History of the CPSU” was canceled, but at MGIMO it remained. And Brilev, at his own peril and risk, highlighted this situation by writing an article for KP.

This story received a great response, and Sergei became an official employee of Komsomolskaya Pravda, where he worked until 1993. Then he moved to Moskovsky Komsomolets, where he became a special correspondent for the international department. At the same time, the young man made reports for the TV show “International Panorama”.

Sergei Brilev worked at the newspaper from his first year

Despite such active journalistic activity, Brilev managed to successfully study at MGIMO, spent a year improving his knowledge of the Spanish language in Uruguay, completed BBC courses in London and interned in the USA.

Television career

Working on television brought Brilev fame and allowed him to realize his potential. He began his career as a news correspondent; this time allowed the journalist to develop operational skills and the ability to accurately choose angles to cover an event. Changes in professional status occurred unexpectedly. When Brilev was undergoing retraining in London, he was asked to temporarily replace Andrei Gurnov, who was then Vesti’s own correspondent in the UK. Circumstances were such that Sergei remained in this role for several years. He improved his journalistic skills, gained skill, met with famous people, and his materials became more mature and noticeable. All this led to the appearance of a new news presenter on Russian television in 2001 - Sergei Brilev. Photos of the journalist began to appear in gossip columns, but this path was not easy from the very beginning. So, on the very first day, the journalist had to broadcast for many hours, because it was September 11th.

Sergei’s career was more than successful; his track record over 14 years of work included such programs as “News on Saturday”, “Direct Line with the President of Russia”, “Fort Boyard”, “Fifth Studio”. And besides, Brilev became a recognized expert on Latin America, here again he was helped by old connections established as a student. He became a high-class interviewer, he managed to talk with such people as Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, George Bush and many top officials and prominent politicians of the world.

TV career

In 1995, Sergei graduated from university and was invited to the position of special correspondent on the Rossiya channel. The young man set to work with his usual zeal, and a year later he won the TEFI award for topical reports from Chechnya, Budennovsk and other hot spots of the country.

Sergey Brilev began working on the Rossiya channel

In 1996, Brilev headed the channel's bureau in London and remained in this post for five years. Returning to Moscow in 2001, Sergei became the host of the Vesti program. The journalist remembered his first television broadcast for the rest of his life: for five hours he had to cover the events that happened on September 11 in New York without leaving the monitor. No one in the editorial office knew English better than him, so Sergei acted as a simultaneous translator, commenting on the tragedy that occurred in front of the whole world.

For almost twenty years Brilev has not changed the Rossiya channel. Having started his television career at VGTRK as a news presenter, he soon began hosting the programs “Fifth Studio”, “Fort Boyard”, “Federation” and many others.

Sergey Brilev - news program presenter

In addition, the journalist pays a lot of attention to documentaries; he has about fifteen films to his credit. All of them were filmed either about the lives of prominent people (Primakov, Churkin, Gorbachev, Chernomyrdin), or touch upon acute topical topics that, in his opinion, are of interest to Russians who are not indifferent to the fate of the country.

Brilev is also the author of two books: “Fidel. Football. Falklands. Latin American Diary,” in which he shared his observations about life in Latin America, and “Forgotten Allies in World War II,” about the role of third countries in the USSR’s victory over fascism.

Book by Sergei Brilev “Forgotten Allies in World War II”

But the journalist considers his main achievement to be the opportunity to interview famous people all over the world, including leading politicians and leaders of superpowers. Perhaps he is the only Russian journalist who managed to communicate directly with all Russian presidents and two American ones - Bush and Obama. The list of his counterparts includes the leaders of France, Germany, Israel and, of course, his beloved Latin America, as well as the presidents of all the countries of the former CIS. Brilev commented on all the inaugurations of President Putin, and also conducted “Direct Line with the President of the Russian Federation” for several years. Sergei Brilyov interviewed Alexander Lukashenko. He is an active member of the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Defense. He has received several commendations from Putin and other presidents of the Russian Federation, was awarded the Order of Honor and Friendship of Peoples, and is the winner of many prestigious awards in the field of television journalism and international relations.

Sergei Brilev responded to Vladimir Pozner’s advice to surrender one of his citizenships

https://www.znak.com/2018-11-30/sergey_brilev_otvetil_vladimiru_pozneru_na_sovet_sdat_odno_iz_svoih_grazhdanstv 2018.11.30

From the Facebook page of Sergei Brilev

The presenter of the Rossiya 1 TV channel, Sergei Brilev, said that the UK for him is an “attachment” that he “definitely is not going to give up.” Thus, he responded to the advice of his colleague Vladimir Pozner to surrender one of his citizenships.

A VGTRK journalist told how he received British citizenship. According to him, in 1995 he came to London for a BBC course. “At the same time, I’m doing a series of stories for Vesti. I was offered to become a correspondent in London,” Brilev writes on his Facebook page.

After the default, according to the journalist, he paid from his own funds the bills of the London office of VGTRK, “at a certain point even the operator’s salary,” “from the modest but stable salary of his wife (she found a job in a London company) and from the fees that I received for appearances on the BBC, Sky News.” Thus, according to Brilev, he, as a self-employed person, began to pay taxes in the UK, which after a while allowed him to “increase his immigration status.”

“Having traveled around the United Kingdom, getting to know English society from the inside, I was imbued with sincere sympathy for it,” the journalist writes.

In 2001, Brilev became the presenter of Vesti in Moscow and continued to live in two cities, since his wife worked in London. “And in subsequent years I continued to have many connections with Britain. <...> And I’m definitely not going to give up this attachment of mine,” Brilev said.

In response to Posner’s claim that the journalist is also the deputy director of the Rossiya 1 TV channel for special projects, Brilev replied that his special projects are films. “These are my films. From the recent one: “Gorbachev. Today and then,” “Primakov. 85", "Shaimiev. In Search of Tartary", "Churkin".

Vladimir Pozner advised Sergei Brilev to renounce one of his citizenships

Let us recall that earlier journalist Vladimir Pozner, who has citizenship of Russia, the USA and France, advised Sergei Brilev to surrender one of his citizenships: Russian or British. According to the journalist, the contradiction lies in the fact that Brilev, in addition to working as a TV presenter, holds the post of deputy director of the Rossiya TV channel for special information projects.

Do you want independent media in the country? Support Znak.com

Share

Author

Vera Vorobyova

On this topic:

Vladimir PosnerbrilevjournalistsPosner published correspondence with Mikhalkov after insults in “Besogon”Washington threatened Beijing with a review of the status of Hong KongJournalists and TV presenters asked Mishustin to support the media as a priorityPosner suggested how long the coronavirus pandemic would lastJournalists of “7×7” were prevented from covering the approval of amendments to the Constitution in Pskov and SmolenskRussia proposed create a “Syndicate” of independent media Well-known journalists, politicians and human rights activists spoke out about long sentences for those involved in the “Network” case. The State Duma wants to punish the media for accusing the USSR of starting World War II. Medvedev ordered a journalistic prize of 1 million rubles to be given to Mikhail Shvydkoy. Pozner - about Putin: “He surrounded himself people who cannot tell him that he is wrong."In Rostov, the press secretary of the city administration was arrested for collusion on a government contract. The Kremlin introduced restrictions on the size of posters during Putin's press conference. The Kiev court arrested a suspect in the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet. newsDud, Sobchak and Shnurov nominated for a web industry awardValentin Yumashev told Posner how Putin became president and whether he will leave the post in 2024The State Duma Commission on Intervention in the Affairs of the Russian Federation found such facts in 19 subjectsIlya Azar will take part in the elections for the post of editor-in-chief of Novaya newspapers"The presenters of Russian state channels responded to Maxim Galkin's words about censorship. The SK refused to open a case against the senator, whom REN TV journalists accused of attack. In Yekaterinburg, Pozner will ask Yumashev why Yeltsin chose Putin. The Prosecutor General's Office proposed banning the media from writing about the crimes of teenagers. The journalist explained the words that the truck with 39 corpses reached Britain through Crimea"Russia 1" did not allow Malakhov's program on the air about the breaking of dams in the Krasnoyarsk TerritoryJournalist Yulia Yuzik returned to MoscowIranian authorities released the journalist YuzikThe court ordered the radio "Moscow Speaks" to refute Dorenko's phrase about Zapashny's cruel circus"Putin's Chef headed Council of the media group "troll factory". But the Iranian Foreign Ministry denies any connection with her: journalist Yulia Yuzik will soon be released. The winners of the TEFI award have been named. The editor of RIA Novosti said that he was beaten at a military journalist course in Crimea. The journalists' union demanded that the “Moscow case” be closed and the convicts be released. Georgian presenter Gabunia explained obscene language against Putin. REN TV" asks Bastrykin, Kolokoltsev and Chaika to open a case against Senator Markhaev. The Union of Journalists of the Chelyabinsk Region is concerned about threats against a colleague from Trekhgorny. Which laws come into force on September 1? The assistant to the head of the capital's FSB Directorate, who was involved in Golunov's investigation, left his post. Journalists are raising funds for people who received fines for protests in support of Golunov Journalists filed complaints with the prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs against the security forces who searched Sobol's headquarters Pozner explained why he speaks differently about Putin in the USA and Russia -due to the Deutsche Welle publication about the rallies, contact was lost with journalists working near the residence of the ex-president of Kyrgyzstan. The police ask to notify journalists who will work at the July 27 protests in Moscow. In Yakutia, a court fined a journalist accused of “influencing the subconscious of people.” Journalists said that they were beaten by security at a club in Moscow because of a poster from a rallyIn Novorossiysk, a case has been opened against the mayor's assistant who attacked a journalist from a local newspaper. A teleconference between the Russian Federation and Ukraine will take place on Russian television. Posner commented on the act of a Georgian TV presenter who swore at Putin. In Yakutsk, a case of abuse of freedom of information will be considered for the first time. Journalists " MBH Media", detained near Putin's residence, were released from the police Pozner announced his resignation from the jury of the TEFIV "Yame" award, which opened after renovation, on the very first day there were arrests. Pskov journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva was added to the list of extremists. The ICR opened a criminal case about the shelling of Russian journalists in Donbass. In Novorossiysk “Our newspaper” reported an attack by the mayor’s assistant on a journalist. Media: the family of the investigator in the Golunov case is connected to a plant that illegally sold precious metals. Medvedev: journalists can be subjective “within the framework of the existing legal structure.” In Moscow, passers-by are treated to drinks with psychotropics and are robbed. The Village found 24 victims Kudrin explained the statement about a “social explosion” due to poverty Journalist Igor Rudnikov talks about his fabricated case, confrontation with the Investigative Committee and life in a pre-trial detention center. Interview with Znak.com The SJR announced the case of a reporter from Ivanov, “like two drops of water” similar to the “Golunov case.” A coordinated rally “Law and Justice for All” was held in Moscow. Report by Znak.com A monument to fallen journalists will be erected in Moscow. Journalists from a number of media outlets refused to go to the media summit, where Dozhd and Meduza were not allowed in. The Kremlin commented on the Golunov case and the role of the authorities in it. Ministry of Internal Affairs: all those detained at the march in support of Golunov were released from police departments, except four people A march in support of journalist Ivan Golunov is being prepared in Moscow Pozner commented on the detention of Golunov In Arkhangelsk, a court fined 400 thousand rubles for a journalist who covered garbage protests. Roskomnadzor filed a claim against the media for texts where obscenities were replaced with asterisks. Putin said at the ONF media forum that both the media and the authorities should value constructive criticism “Project”: the Kremlin recommended that federal channels “not praise Zelensky too much” Kadyrov said that the structure and workers of the media must change to combat provocations In Arkhangelsk, the court fined journalists covering garbage protests 215 thousand rubles; suspended the investigation into the murder of a Russian film crew in TsARThe former editor-in-chief of the Kommersant-Vlast magazine, Maxim Kovalsky, has died. In Buryatia, the Investigative Committee is checking the circumstances of the attack by the director of a research institute on an investigative journalist. Sergei Brilev commented on his exclusion from the public council under the Ministry of Defense. Writers and journalists called the laws on fakes and insults to the authorities direct censorship. Journalist Parfenov showed a trailer for the continuation of the program “Namedni.” “Posner responded to Klishas: a bill on disrespect for power can “silence anyone” Klishas, ​​in a letter to Posner, linked the wealth of politicians and their impartiality. The round table with police officers was cleared of answers that promote drugs. Central Television announcer Evgeny Suslov died in Moscow. Ukrainian journalist Boyko was expelled from the Russian Federation. to whom Kiselev offered a job. The Ukrainian prosecutor's office has completed the investigation into the case of journalist Vyshinsky. Dudya and Ivleeva filed a lawsuit for the protection of honor and dignity for 100 million rubles. "Dossier": Russian journalists killed in the Central African Republic were under surveillance. Putin awarded the title "Honored Journalist of the Russian Federation" for the first time to 15 media representatives. In the center of Novosibirsk they were beaten journalist and university employee The editor-in-chief of “MK” headed the HRC commission on freedom of information and the rights of journalists Pozner explained why many Russians respect Stalin and called them “slaves” Kiselev offered a job to a journalist with Ukrainian citizenship who is being deported from the Russian Federation Journalists beat politicians and received the title “Man” of the year" according to TimeOSCE adopted a document on the safety of journalists "thanks to the unprecedented efforts of the Russian Federation"Peskov: Sergei Brilev may have to leave the Public Council under the Ministry of DefenseThe media learned about the ban for the British military to communicate with Channel One journalistsVladimir Posner advised Sergei Brilev to abandon one of his citizenships

Personal life of Sergei Brilev

Sergei met his wife Irina under rather interesting circumstances. On the eve of the entrance exams to MGIMO, Brilev’s mother washed a shirt that had a Komsomol card in its pocket. In 1990, it was impossible to enter a university without him, and there was no time to recover. However, the girl from the department for issuing the treasured red crusts came to her senses and, violating the instructions, issued a new document to the upset young man. Thus began the story of their relationship, which continues to this day.

Sergei Brilev and his wife

The young people tested their feelings for quite a long time, then Sergei’s workload and frequent business trips prevented them from formalizing the marriage. They got married only nine years after their first meeting and settled together in London, where Brilev at that time held the position of chief of the British bureau of the Rossiya channel.

Sergei Brilev with his daughter

Irina very quickly integrated into the English environment (her excellent knowledge of the language helped) and got a job at one of the large London media companies. In the summer of 2006, the couple had a baby, Alexandra.

Personal life

Sergei always speaks about his family with warmth and love. The TV journalist’s wife’s name is Irina; the young people met in the Komsomol district committee of the Cheryomushkinsky district. Before entering MGIMO, Sergei’s mother washed his shirt along with his Komsomol card.

Sergei Brilev with his wife

At that time, such an oversight could have ruined Brilev’s future, but the guy decided to try his luck and restore the ticket. In one of the district committee windows, the young man saw a pretty, friendly girl who understood his position and wrote out a new document under her own responsibility. This is how Sergei met Irina. The young people dated for a year, but then their paths diverged.

The second time Sergei and Irina met in 1998 in Moscow and soon got married. The celebration took place in London, where Sergei Brilev worked at that time. Irina is an English teacher, so the girl did not have any communication problems in the new country.

Sergei Brilev with his daughter

On August 11, 2006, a long-awaited daughter was born into the Brilev family. The girl was named Alexandra. Sergei’s work involves frequent business trips, so the journalist jokingly calls his wife a “single mother.” Brilev has an excellent relationship with his girls - the journalist spends his free time with his family. True, Brilev goes skiing with his daughter, because Irina does not share her husband’s hobby. Otherwise, the spouses have “endless happiness to be together,” as Sergei says.

Sports allow Sergei to keep himself in good shape. With a height of 172 cm, Brilev does not gain weight above average, which is important for public work.

Sergey Brilev now

In 2020, Brilev found himself at the epicenter of a scandal that had been brewing for several years.
Opposition politician Alexei Navalny presented evidence that Brilev is a British citizen. The journalist confirmed that he had British citizenship, although he had previously denied this fact in every possible way. This news caused a huge resonance, because Brilev positions himself as a devoted patriot of Russia and an ardent supporter of the policies of Vladimir Putin. And then it turns out that Sergei is not only the holder of a British passport, but also owns real estate in London, registered in his wife’s name, worth about 700 thousand pounds.

Alexey Navalny about the citizenship of Sergei Brilev According to Russian laws, journalists of federal channels are not prohibited from having dual citizenship, but he is prohibited from being a member of the public council of the Russian Defense Ministry. Sergei Shoigu promised to deal with this situation. Dmitry Peskov also noted that this story does not look good on the journalist.

At the presidential press conference that followed in December 2020, Brilev was given the opportunity to ask a question, and he asked about the possible impact of Brexit on relations between Britain and Russia. After this, a photograph of Brilev appeared on the official Twitter account of the President of the Russian Federation, which opposition-minded Russians saw as outright mockery.

"News on Saturday"

Sergei Brilev moved to the position of TV presenter in 2001. And it so happened that its first broadcast was on September 11th. The infamous terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in the United States took place that day. Brilev went through a real baptism of fire, working all day with virtually no breaks. After that, the journalist’s career included such programs as “News of the Week,” “Direct Line with Vladimir Putin,” and “Fifth Studio.” In 2002, Brilev even hosted the Russian season at Fort Boyard.

There was also an unpleasant episode in Brilev’s career that could have put an end to his professional activities. During one of the Vesti broadcasts, he cursed on air, and millions of TV viewers saw it. Many demanded that the TV presenter be fired immediately, but the management of VGTRK decided to limit itself to a reprimand. Brilev later apologized for his actions and explained that that day he heard a crackling sound in his earphone throughout the broadcast, and this prevented him from conducting the program. That's why I couldn't resist.

But Sergei Brilev made his main work the program “News on Saturday,” which he has been hosting since 2008. This program talks about the most important political events in the world. In addition, Brilev specializes in exclusive interviews with top officials. Over the course of 6 years, he was able to communicate with several dozen of the most prominent politicians of our time.

Brilev considers his interview with current American President Barack Obama to be his greatest journalistic success. Negotiations for the meeting went on for two and a half years until the US State Department gave permission for the meeting.

An ordinary person Sergei Brilev: family, wife

But a career is not the only thing a journalist lives for. When people look at such famous personalities as Sergei Brilev, biography, family, wife - this is what begins to interest them greatly. A successful journalist, who devotes most of his life to his work, must have a reliable rear that will ensure his peace of mind and comfort. Sergei Brilev also has the person who creates the atmosphere in the house and waits for the journalist from endless business trips. His wife Irina has been with him for more than 10 years. The couple met in their early youth, at the district Komsomol committee, where Brilev came to get a Komsomol card. The wedding took place much later, already at the time when the journalist worked in London. The wedding took place there, which was even shown on the BBC news. The couple have a daughter, Alexandra. So Sergei Brilev is a happy person in every sense. His biography, his wife and daughter - all this clearly demonstrates that there are happy people on earth.

The only thing he lacks is time to fully immerse himself in work, family, and hobbies, and these are alpine skiing and mushroom picking.

Publications[ | ]

• Media files on Wikimedia Commons

• Brilev S. B.
  Forgotten allies in the Second World War. - M.: OlmaMediaGroup, 2012. - 712 p. — ISBN 978-5-373-04750-0.
• Brilev S. B.
  Fidel. Football. Falklands. - M.: Zebra-E, 2008. - 272 p. - (Signs of the times). — ISBN 978-5-94663-590-5.
• Brilev S. B. and Bernard O'Connor Intelligence: “Illegal immigrants” in reverse. — ISBN 978-5-17-111386-5
• "A Little World War in South America" ​​(2013)
• “The country is a 'thorn'. To the 80th anniversary of the severance of relations between the USSR and Uruguay" (2016)
• “Fiery round the world. To the 75th anniversary of the first Soviet circumnavigation" (2017)
• “Illegal immigrants are the opposite.” Intelligence service. Girls" (2018)