Forbes magazine in its annual report publishes lists of Russians who have achieved not only significant success in business, but have become the richest people not only in the country, but also in the world. 2018 is no exception. Although, due to the sanctions, the position of some billionaires has noticeably shaken.
2018 brought many surprises to the top ten. The favorites changed abruptly, and the current leaders dropped out of the list of leaders altogether. Economists attribute this to anti-Russian sanctions, which hit the oil and gas sector and all those associated with the sale of natural resources abroad. A series of high-profile scandals and divorces also greatly influenced the wallets of some entrepreneurs. Although there are still those who are clearly in the hands of the crisis and instability of the situation.
There were ten
Alisher Usmanov, who has been a regular "member" of the Forbes list for many years, starts the top ten, and his fortune is now estimated at $ 12 billion from his own company, USM Holdings.
Following Usmanov, Viktor Vekselberg and his $ 14 billion, which the Renova company brings to him, are on the ninth line.
The eighth place is taken by Mikhail Fridman, co-owner of Letter One Holdings and Alfa Group. Ordinary citizens know him as the owner of the chain of stores Pyaterochka, Perekrestok and Karusel.
Andrei Melnichenko, who is next to Fridman, has overtaken him by “only something” by $ 400 million. The owner of Eurochem is estimated at $ 15 billion.
Vladimir Potanin, President of Interros, retained his place in the top ten. Neither the divorce from his wife, nor the confrontation with Oleg Deripaska prevented him from doing this. Potanin preserved and increased his capital, which now stands at more than $ 15 billion.
The magnificent five
Gennady Timchenko opens the five most successful businessmen. Companies Novatek and Sibur, whose board of directors includes Timchenko, brought him 16 billion.
The president of the largest Russian oil company Lukoil, Vagit Alikperov, is in a well-deserved fourth place. His fortune is estimated at $ 16.4 billion. Even the failed deal to buy a 50% stake in Bashneft did not prevent them from saving income.
The three most successful businessmen are opened by Leonid Mikhelson and his record $ 18 billion. Still, the most profitable industry in Russia is oil and gas. Mikhelson is the chairman of the board of Novotek. He owns several petrochemical enterprises. The last high-profile event was the launch of a gas liquefaction plant in Yamal.
Alexey Mordashov is a well-deserved second place. In addition to the shares of Severstal, it owns the National Media Group (with a share with Surgutneftegaz and Bank Rossiya), 50% of the shares of the mobile operator Tele-2, and also has a stake in the travel company TUI and even in the online store Platypus.
The richest man in Russia in 2018 was named Vladimir Lisin, chairman of the board of directors of NLMK, owner of the transport holding Universal Cargo Logistics. Moreover, against the background of a general decline in income, Lisin's assets are only growing and currently amount to $ 19.1 billion.
