He was born on July 6, 1940 in the village of Chemolgan, Kaskelen District, Almaty region. In 1967, he graduated from the Highest Technical Educational Institution at the Karaganada Metallurgic Works.

He is a Doctor in Economics, Academician of the National Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, International Academy of Engineering, Russian Federation Academy of Social Sciences, Honorable Professor of the Al-Farabi Kazakh State National University, Honorable Member of the Academy of Science of the Republic of Belarus, Honorable Professor of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

From 1960 through 1969, he worked at the Karaganda Metallurgical Works.

From 1969 through 1973, he was involved in the Party and Komsomol work in Temirtau of the Karaganda region.

From 1973 to 1977, he was a secretary of the party committee at the Karaganda Metallurgic Works.

From 1977 through 1979, he served as secretary, and then second secretary of the Regional Committee of the Party in Karaganda.

From 1979 through 1984, he served as Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan.

From 1984 through 1989, he was a Chairman of the Ministers Council of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

From 1989 through 1991, he served as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan. From February to April 1990, he concurrently served as Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

Since April 1990, he is a President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On December 1, 1991 the first national presidential elections were held where Nursultan Nazarbayev had been supported by 98.7 percent of electors.

On April 29, 1995 the powers of the President Nursultan Nazarbayev have been prolonged till 2000 as a result of the national referendum.

On January 10, 1999 he was elected the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the alternative basis with 79.78 per cent of electors.

On December 4, 2005 he was again elected President of the Republic of Kazakhstan supported by 91.15 per cent of electors.

On June 14, 2010 the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No.289-IV “On Introduction of Amendments and Supplements to Certain Constitutional Laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Issues of Improvement of the Legislation in the Field of Ensuring the Activity of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Leader of the Nation” came into force.

On April 3, 2011 he was again elected President of the Republic of Kazakhstan supported by 95.5 per cent of electors.

The Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Services of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.

The Chairman of the “Nur Otan” People’s Democratic Party.

The Chairman of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Spouse – Sara Alpysovna Nazarbayeva, since February 1992 – the founder and the president of the “Bobek” International Children Charitable Fund. Since July 1994, S.Nazarbayeva is the president of the “SOS – Children’s Villages Kazakhstan”.

The President has three daughters.

Nazarbayeva Dariga Nursultanovna (born in 1963) is the eldest daughter. She has two sons and one daughter. She is a Doctor in Political Science. Dariga is the Majilis deputy of the Parliament of 5th convocation and Chairwoman of the Socio-Cultural Development Committee.

Kulibayeva Dinara Nursultanovna (born in 1967) is the middle daughter. She has a son and two daughters. Since 2004, she chairs the Board of Directors of the Kazakh-British Technical University.

Nazarbayeva Aliya Nursultanovna (born in 1980) is the youngest daughter. She has two daughters. Aliya chairs the “Elitstroy” Construction Company.