20 Facts About Andranik Margaryan

Andranik Nahapeti Margaryan was an Armenian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Armenia from 12 May 2000, when the President appointed him, until his death on 25 March 2007.

Andranik Margaryan was a member of the Republican Party of Armenia.

Andranik Margaryan succeeded the Sargsyan brothers: Vazgen Sargsyan, who was murdered during the Armenian parliament shooting on 27 October 1999 and Aram Sargsyan, whom the President appointed a week later, but fired on 2 May 2000.

Andranik Margaryan was born on 12 June 1949 in Yerevan to a family of Armenian genocide survivors originally from Sason, Turkey.

Andranik Margaryan studied cybernetics at the Yerevan Polytechnic University and graduated as a computer engineer.

Andranik Margaryan first became engaged in Armenian politics in the late 1970s when he joined an illegal political party, the National United Party, that was campaigning for Armenia's secession from the Soviet Union.

Andranik Margaryan has served on the National United Party's board since 1973.

In 1992 after Armenia's independence, Andranik Margaryan became a registered member of the Republican Party of Armenia, the first registered party in the 3rd Republic of Armenia.

Andranik Margaryan influenced the party platform with the ideology he expressed as a member of the National United Party.

Andranik Margaryan served as the Republican Party's Chairman of the Board from 1993 until his death.

Andranik Margaryan had been a member of the "Yerkrapah" Volunteer union since 1996 and served on the YVU's board.

Vazgen's brother, Aram Sargsyan, who the President appointed a week later as prime minister, was fired on 2 May 2000, leading to Andranik Margaryan Markaryan being appointed as the 14th prime minister of Armenia.

Andranik Margaryan had planned to resign after the 12 May 2007, elections in Armenia.

Andranik Margaryan died of a heart attack on 25 March 2007, after nearly seven years in office, the second prime minister of Armenia to die in office and the first not related to an assassination.

Andranik Margaryan was immediately given resuscitation treatment but did not respond.

Andranik Margaryan had a history of serious cardiac problems and twice underwent heart surgery, first in Armenia in 1999 and later in France.

Andranik Margaryan regularly visited French and Russian clinics for medical examinations.

Andranik Margaryan is survived by a wife, two daughters, one son, and five grandchildren.

Apart from politics, Andranik Margaryan has followed a career in scientific research.

Andranik Margaryan then settled to work in Armenia's State Architectural University as junior scientist from 1994 to 1995.