Aleksandr Ryabov was born on 15 October 1936 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR.

[1] He graduated from the Michurinsk Fruit and Vegetable Institute, Higher School of Education under the Central Committee of the CPSU, as a Candidate of Philosophical Sciences.

From 1990 to 1993, he was the People's Deputy of the Russian Federation, as a member of the Communists of Russia faction.

After the August events of 1991, by decree of the President of Russia, he was removed from the post of chairman of the executive committee on charges of supporting the State Emergency Committee, but was immediately elected by the deputies as chairman of the regional Council.

[1] In December 1995, Ryabov was elected head of the administration of the Tambov Oblast.