This year has been incredible for Russia’s richest people. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, their combined wealth has shot up by more than $26 billion since January! As of November 1, a total of 25 Russian billionaires are now worth a staggering $355.33 billion, making them some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Who’s on Top? Meet Vladimir Potanin
Leading the pack is Vladimir Potanin, the owner of Norilsk Nickel, one of the world’s largest mining companies. Potanin is not just Russia’s richest person; he ranks 55th globally. Since the start of the year, his fortune has grown by $1.2 billion, bringing his total wealth to $32.2 billion. This impressive increase shows just how much the mining sector is thriving right now.
The Big Winner: Vladimir Lisin
However, the real star of the show is Vladimir Lisin, the chairman of NLMK, which is Russia’s biggest steelmaker. He has had a fantastic year, adding an astonishing $4.81 billion to his wealth. Now, he is worth around $28.8 billion and has moved up the ranks significantly. At the beginning of the year, he was the fourth richest person in Russia, but he is climbing higher every day!
The Energy Tycoon: Vagit Alekperov
In third place is Vagit Alekperov, the former boss of Lukoil, a major player in the energy sector. He still owns a large portion of the company’s shares, and as of November 1, his net worth stands at $27.4 billion—up by $2.78 billion since January. This shows how lucrative the energy industry has been for those involved.
A Steel Fortune for Aleksey Mordashov
Next is Aleksey Mordashov, the chairman of Severstal, another giant in the steel industry. His wealth has increased by $4.75 billion this year, bringing him to a total of $25.6 billion. It’s clear that steel is a hot commodity right now, and these billionaires are reaping the rewards.
Leonid Mikhelson’s Mixed Bag
Fifth on the list is Leonid Mikhelson, co-owner of Novatek, Russia’s second-largest natural gas producer. His fortune has taken a hit, dropping by $1.98 billion to $25.5 billion. This decline is a reminder that the energy market can be unpredictable.
A Major Loss: Alisher Usmanov
While many billionaires are enjoying increased wealth, not everyone is so lucky. Alisher Usmanov has seen the largest drop among Russia’s rich, losing $6.46 billion and now standing at $14.6 billion. Usmanov, who owns a significant part of USM, an investment group, has had a tough year, demonstrating that fortunes can change quickly.
A Diverse Billionaire Landscape
Bloomberg’s list also features other notable billionaires, including Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, and Tatyana Kim, Russia’s richest woman and the founder of Wildberries, the country’s largest online retailer. Other wealthy figures include Andrey Melnichenko (founder of Eurochem), Mikhail Prokhorov (Onexim group), Gennady Timchenko (Novatek and Sibur co-owner), and Mikhail Fridman (Alfa Group).
As 2024 continues, it will be fascinating to see how these billionaires adapt to market changes and whether their fortunes will keep climbing or take a downturn. The wealth dynamics in Russia are changing rapidly, and these billionaires are at the center of it all!
