GRIGOL VASHADZE was born in Tbilisi, on 19 July 1958 to his father Nodar Vashadze and mother Elene Bakradze.

1975 - completed Tbilisi secondary school N61

1981 - graduated with honours from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, faculty of international law

1981-1988 - worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, Department of International Organisations, Department of Cosmos and Nuclear Weapons

1988-1990 - Diplomatic Academy, post-graduate student

1990-2008 - was engaged in private business and headed the companies founded by himself: 'Georgia Arts Management' and 'Gregory Vashadze and BR'

6 February 2008-was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

1 November 2008-was appointed Minister of Culture, Monument Protection and Sport

Is married to Nino Ananiashvili, has two children: Nodar Vashadze and Elene Vashadze

Speaks Russian, English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French

Holds a diplomatic rank of Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary