Vladimir Putin used to work as a taxi driver, he has revealed.
The Russian president recently opened up about his past and the struggles he encountered back in the 1990s.
Long before he became one of the most powerful people on the face of the Earth, the former KGB agent ferried people around to make ends meet.
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The fairly shocking revelation was made during a documentary on Sunday (12 December), called Russia, Latest History.
Speaking about the break-up of the Soviet Union, Putin, who is said to be worth a colossal £150 billion ($200bn), said he found it hard to make ends meet.
The 69-year-old said: "Sometimes I had to earn extra money... by car, as a private driver. It’s unpleasant to talk about to be honest, but unfortunately that was the case."
Sadly, however, the Russian leader wouldn't expand beyond that quite surprising moment of candour.
But it shouldn't come as a shock that producers didn't exactly push Putin on this, considering the immense power he has and his fierce reputation.
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Earlier this year, ABC News reporter Rachel Scott took the opportunity to question Putin on his reputation and the fate a number of his rivals have met in the past.
Speaking during a press conference following his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Geneva, Ms Scott asked: "The list of your political opponents who are dead, imprisoned, or jailed is long.
"Alexei Navalny's organisation calls for free and fair elections and end to corruption, but Russia has outlawed that organisation, calling it extremist and you have now prevented anyone who supports [Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny] to run for office.
"So my question is, Mr. President, what are you so afraid of?"
It's a pretty bold statement, however, it didn't seem to shake the former intelligence officer.
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Putin simply responded that it's his country and his rules, and criticised those who didn't fall into line.
He hit back at Navalny's organisation and labeled it an extremist group that wanted to cause 'mass disorder'. He likened it to the Black Lives Matter movement in the US and criticised protestors for causing 'disorder' and 'destruction' during last year's demonstrations.
Putin said he didn't want to see scenes like that mirrored in Russia and therefore believes detaining outspoken citizens is lawful because it keeps the peace.
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But the ABC journalist wasn't done there.
Ms Scott was allowed to ask a follow-up question and drove to the heart of what she wanted the Russian leader to answer.
She said: "You didn't answer my question, sir. If all your political opponents are dead, in prison, poisoned - doesn't that send a message that you don't want a fair political fight?"
But again, Putin declined to give a specific answer to the allegations made.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: News, Politics, Russia, Vladimir Putin, World News
