[2] Mikhail Zadornov was born on 4 May 1963[3][4] in Moscow to a family of geologists[4] and spent his early years with his parents in Kamchatka Oblast (in 1995, he was elected as this region's deputy to the Russian State Duma).

In 1988, after serving two years in the Soviet army, he received a master's degree from the Institute of Economics of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

In 1989, Zadornov was awarded a PhD in economics (he wrote his dissertation on Efficiency of Plant Renovation Investments in Industrial Enterprises).

[6] 1996–1997 – deputy of the 2nd State Duma (elected to represent the Kamchatka constituency as a member of Yabloko); Chairman of the Committee for the Budget, Taxes, Banks and Finance.

2000–2003 – Deputy in 3rd State Duma (elected to represent the Universitetsky constituency of Moscow with the Yabloko party);[10] member of the Yabloko parliamentary group; Deputy Chairman of the Budget and Taxes Committee; member of the Commission for Review of Federal Budget Expenditures for Defence and National Security.

[20] When not in the office, Zadornov enjoys sports and spends time supporting his favourite football and basketball teams.