Byagul Nurmiradova (born 1971; , ) is a

Turkmen Turkmen, Türkmen, Turkoman, or Turkman may refer to: Peoples Historical ethnonym * Turkoman (ethnonym), ethnonym used for the Oghuz Turks during the Middle Ages Ethnic groups * Turkmen in Anatolia and the Levant (Seljuk and Ottoman-Turkish desc ...

politician who previously served as deputy chairperson for culture of President

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow (born 29 June 1957), also known as Arkadag (Cyrillic: Аркадаг, "protector"), is a Turkmen politician who served as the second president of Turkmenistan from 2006 to 2022. A dentist by profes ...

's cabinet, equivalent to a vice president in some other countries, until 2014. Nurmiradova began her career as a television anchor, rising to head the state television channel

Miras Miras is a village and a former municipality in the Korçë County, southeastern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Devoll. The population at the 2011 census was 6,577.

before being appointed deputy culture minister. After a stint as deputy governor of the

Daşoguz Region Daşoguz Region ( tk, Daşoguz welaýaty, formerly Daşhowuz) is one of the regions of Turkmenistan. It is in the north of the country, bordering Uzbekistan. The area of the province is 73,430 square kilometers, and the total population is 1,37 ...

, she was elevated to the deputy cabinet chair position, which she held for two years.

Early life and education

Byagul Nurmiradova was born Byagul Charykulieva in

Anau, Turkmenistan Anau (also spelled Annau, tk, Änew) is a city in Turkmenistan. Until 20 December 2022 it was the capital of Ahal Province. It is situated 8 km southeast of Ashgabat, to which it is connected via the M37 highway. Etymology The name Anau ...

, in 1971. She studied

library science Library science (often termed library studies, bibliothecography, and library economy) is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and ...

at the , graduating in 1994.

Career

Nurmiradova first gained national prominence as an anchor on

state television State media or government media are media outlets that are under financial and/or editorial control of the state or government, directly or indirectly. There are different types of state and government media. State-controlled or state-run media a ...

. She drew the attention of politicians close to Turkmen President

and in 2004 was promoted to lead the television channel Miras, traveling alongside the president on his international trips and producing reports on the countries they visited. In 2010, she was appointed deputy culture and broadcasting minister. The following year, she graduated from the National Academy of Public Administration. Also in 2011, she stepped down from the deputy minister post after reportedly clashing with the minister. She subsequently served as deputy ''khyakim'' (governor) of the

, overseeing social and cultural issues, until 2012. In her time as deputy khyakim, she introduced the notable requirement that all women in the region, regardless of their ethnicity, had to wear traditional loose-fitting ''balak'' trousers under their skirts. She was described during her tenure as highly exacting, with her specific demands including that only dark-haired children be allowed to greet the president, and she was known to shout obscenities at her subordinates. In 2012, Berdimuhamedow appointed Nurmiradova as deputy chairperson of his cabinet, a role equivalent to a vice president in some countries, overseeing the culture and media portfolio. She held the position until April 2014, when she was relieved of her duties, citing health reasons. Although some reports circulated that she had died of

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

at the time, they appeared to be false, and later that year she was reported to be working at the

Turkmen State Institute of Culture Turkmen, Türkmen, Turkoman, or Turkman may refer to: Peoples Historical ethnonym * Turkoman (ethnonym), ethnonym used for the Oghuz Turks during the Middle Ages Ethnic groups * Turkmen in Anatolia and the Levant (Seljuk and Ottoman-Turkish desc ...

, her alma mater.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nurmiradova, Byagul Possibly living people 1971 births People from Ahal Region Vice-presidents of Turkmenistan 21st-century Turkmenistan women politicians Turkish women television presenters