Pioneer: the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has died

On Tuesday, July 22, Irina Podnosova, Chairman of the Supreme Court of Russia, died at the age of 72. Over the years of her professional activity, she held a number of positions and was known for her impeccable reputation. The life story of Irina Podnosova is in the material of Izvestia.

Chairman of the Supreme Court Irina Podnosova: cause of death, condolences

Irina Podnosova, Chairman of the Supreme Court of Russia, passed away on July 22. She was 71 years old. The information was confirmed on the website of the Armed Forces: "It is with deep regret that we inform you that Irina Leonidovna Podnosova, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, passed away on July 22, 2025."

According to her entourage, the cause of death was cancer.

After the information about Podnosova's death appeared, words of condolences from government officials of the Russian Federation began to appear.

Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova wrote on her Telegram page: "I express my deep condolences to the family and friends of Irina Leonidovna Podnosova, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, who passed away after a serious illness." She also added that Irina Podnosova devoted her entire professional career to serving the law and strengthening faith in justice, having worked in the judicial system for more than a third of a century. "The blessed memory of Irina Leonidovna Podnosova," she concluded.

The head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, also expressed his condolences over the death of Irina Podnosova. His words are quoted in the Telegram channel of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

"Irina Leonidovna is a worthy representative of the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University. She proved herself to be an excellent lawyer, a competent and principled specialist in the country's judicial system. Irina Leonidovna had an impeccable reputation and enjoyed a well-deserved reputation in the professional community. She actively worked to improve the legal system and made a huge contribution to strengthening the integrity of the Motherland," Alexander Bastrykin is quoted as saying.

He also added that Irina Podnosova has always put the interests of the state and society first. "Hard work for the good of the country, dedication, skill and high moral qualities helped her achieve high results, serve the law and justice. We will remember Irina Leonidovna as a charming woman, as an honest, independent judge. She will always be an example for future generations of lawyers.

I express my deep and sincere condolences to Irina Leonidovna's family and friends. This is a huge loss for the Motherland, an irreparable loss for the legal community, for all of us...", concluded Alexander Bastrykin.

Biography of Irina Podnosova

Irina Podnosova was born in Pskov on October 29, 1953. In 1975, she graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Leningrad State University named after A. A. Zhdanov (now Saint Petersburg State University; St. Petersburg State University). Podnosova studied in the same course with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Over the years of her career, Irina Podnosova has held a number of positions. From 1975 to 1978, she worked in St. Petersburg as a consultant to the Justice Department of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad Regional Council of Workers' Deputies. After that, she became a lawyer at the Volsky Construction Products Factory in the Saratov region.

Since 1979, she has held several positions in her profession: He was a legal adviser, senior legal adviser and later head of the legal department of the Volsky City Auction of the Saratov region.

In 1990-2003, she was a judge of the Luga City Court of the Leningrad Region. In 2003, she became its chairman (until 2013).

In 2002, she also became a member of the Council of Judges of the Leningrad Region, and held this position until 2012. She was appointed Chairman of the Council twice (in 2006-2008 and again in 2010-2012).

In 2013-2017, she worked as Deputy Chairman of the Leningrad Regional Court. In 2017-2018, she was its chairman.

Since 2016, she has also been a member of the Council of Judges of the Russian Federation.

In September 2018, she became the Chairman of the Second Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction (until July 2020). After that, on July 24, 2020, Irina Podnosova was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council, which was headed by Vyacheslav Lebedev from 1989 to 2024. After his death in February 2024, the Federation Council elected Irina Podnosova to the post of Chairman of the Supreme Council. The decision on her appointment was made unanimously, she took office on April 17 and became the first woman in this position.

Irina Podnosova was also a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Court, co-chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Supreme Court and had the first qualification class of a judge.

In 2022, she was awarded the Order of Honor, and in 2023, she was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the President of the Russian Federation.