Khakamada was a former member (deputy) of the lower house (the State Duma) of the Russian parliament for three convocations (electoral terms, 1993–2003) and vice-chair of the house; co-chair of a political party Union of Right Forces (1999–2003), presidential candidate of the Russian Federation (2004), member of the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights (2012–2018).

[5] Khakamada's paternal uncle is Satomi Hakamada (袴田 里見), a member of the Japanese Communist Party leadership.

[6] Khakamada graduated from the Department of Economy of the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University in Moscow in 1978.

Khakamada stated that the hostage takers were not going to use their bombs to kill the people and destroy the building.

[9] Khakamada was one of the leaders of the Union of Rightist Forces when she decided to run in the 2004 Russian presidential election.

[11] Khakamada kicked off her campaign by delivering a speech which placed the blame for the Moscow theater hostage crisis at Putin's feet.

[10] Khakamada was only the second woman to be a registered candidate in a Russian presidential election, after only Ella Pamfilova in 2000.

Khakamada published the book "Gender in big-time politics"[19] describing her personal experience of work in Kremlin.

According to Berezovsky, Putin had issued threats that Khakamada and her colleagues "will take in the head immediately, literally, not figuratively" if they "open the mouth" about the Russian apartment bombings.

[27] Khakamada has appeared in several films and television series as an actress, including Brief Guide To A Happy Life in 2012.