Samvel Shahgaldyan was born on April 1, 1951 in the village of Alapars in the Hrazdan region.

Mr. Shahgaldyan graduated with a degree in engineering-mechanics from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute in 1987.

From 1969-1971 he served in the Soviet Army. From 1972-1977 he worked as an economist at Alapars State Farm. He spent the next sixteen years first as an economist, head of a production unit in the Charentsavan Forge Factory, then as a secretary of the Party Committee and eventually deputy to the general director in the Automobile Loaders Factory. From 1993-1995 he was the director of the Charentsavan Casting Equipment Plant. From 1996-1997 he became director of the Charentsvan Tools Factory. From 1997-1998 he was the president of the board of Mortch CJSC. From 1999-2003 he was the general director of Armavto OJSC.

On May 25, 2003 he was elected to the NA from electoral district # 43.

Till 22 May 2006 he was a member of  the Rule of Law Party and Faction.

From 25 May 2006 he is a member of the "Entrepreneur" deputy group. He has no political party affiliation.

He sits on the NA Standing Committee on Social, Health Care and Environmental Protection Affairs.

Mr. Shahgaldyan is married and has two children.