Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 24, 1966 Saratov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Occupation(s) | Business oligarch, political figure |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Ownership of Chelsea FC, Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, principal proprietor of Millhouse investment firm |
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (born 24 October 1966) is a Russian business oligarch and political figure. He formerly owned Chelsea, a Premier League football club based in London, and is the principal proprietor of the private investment firm Millhouse.[1] He holds citizenship in Russia, Portugal, and Israel.
From 2000 until 2008, Abramovich was the Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. According to Forbes, his net worth was estimated at 14.5 billion in 2021,[2] ranking him as the second wealthiest individual in Israel. His fortune decreased to $6.9 billion in 2022 before increasing again to $9.2 billion in 2023.[3]
He built his wealth during the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union by purchasing Russian state assets at prices below market value through the contentious loans-for-shares initiative. Numerous reports suggest Abramovich maintained a close association with Russian president Vladimir Putin,[4] a claim he has denied.[5]
Early life
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich was born on 24 October 1966 in Saratov, located in the Russian SFSR within the Soviet Union (present-day Russia). His mother, Irina (1939–1967), who taught music, passed away when he was one year old, and his father, Aaron Abramovich Leibovich (1937–1969), employed at the economic council of the Komi ASSR, died when Roman was three years old. Both of his parents were Jewish.
His maternal grandparents were Ukrainian Jews who escaped to Saratov during World War II. On his father's side, his grandparents were Belarusian Jews who moved to Tauragė, Lithuania after the revolution, with their surname spelled Abramavičius. Following the Soviet annexation of Lithuania in 1940, many families—including Abramovich’s grandparents—were deported to Siberia and separated into different camps. Numerous deportees perished, including his grandfather Nachman Leibovich, who died in an NKVD camp in 1942.
Having lost both parents by age four, Abramovich was raised by relatives and spent much of his childhood in the Komi Republic in northern Russia.
Business career
Abramovich embarked on his entrepreneurial journey while serving in the military, initially engaging in street vending before taking on a role as a factory mechanic. He pursued his studies at the Gubkin Institute of Oil and Gas in Moscow and subsequently engaged in commodity trading for the Swiss company Runicom.
With the advent of perestroika in 1988, Abramovich seized the opportunities presented by Soviet privatisation. Together with his first wife, Olga, he established a doll manufacturing enterprise, diversifying his business interests from oil ventures to include pig farming. His commercial activities expanded further into sectors such as timber, sugar, and various foodstuffs.
In 1992, Abramovich faced a brief detention linked to accusations of diesel fuel theft from the Ukhta Oil Refinery. The allegations involved the use of falsified documents to redirect a shipment valued at 3.8 million rubles. These charges were ultimately dropped after compensation was provided to the refinery, and no legal proceedings ensued.
Association with Boris Berezovsky
Abramovich's initial encounter with Berezovsky occurred either in 1993 or during the summer of 1995. The two co-founded the offshore entity Runicom Ltd., with Abramovich heading its Moscow branch. In August 1995, following a presidential decree by Boris Yeltsin, Sibneft was established, where both Abramovich and Berezovsky were considered leading executives.
In 1995, through the contentious loans-for-shares programme, Abramovich and Berezovsky secured majority ownership of Sibneft. Each invested US$100 million for half of the company—exceeding its stock market valuation of US$150 million at that time—but Sibneft's worth rapidly escalated to billions, estimated at US$2.7 billion. By 2000, Sibneft's oil production was valued at approximately US$3 billion annually.
The Times indicated that Badri Patarkatsishvili played a supportive role in Abramovich’s acquisition of Sibneft. After gaining control of Sibneft, Abramovich ventured into the aluminium sector amid violent disputes known as "aluminium wars," which involved lethal confrontations over smelter ownership and metal trading rights. Initially hesitant due to the conflict’s brutality, he ultimately exited the oil industry by selling Sibneft to the Russian government for $13 billion in 2005.
Dynamics with Berezovsky and Patarkatsishvili
In 2011, Abramovich’s longtime associate initiated a civil lawsuit titled Berezovsky v Abramovich in London’s High Court of Justice, accusing Abramovich of blackmail, breach of trust, and contract violations while seeking damages exceeding £3 billion.
On 31 August 2012, the High Court dismissed this claim. The judge characterized Berezovsky as "an unimpressive and inherently unreliable witness," whereas Abramovich was described as "truthful and generally reliable."
Case evidence
A transcript from 2011 revealed a covertly recorded December 2000 conversation at Le Bourget airport involving Abramovich, Berezovsky, and Badri Patarkatsishvili. In this recording, Berezovsky spoke about "legalising" their aluminium operations, portraying himself as an undisclosed stakeholder aiming to formalize his ownership stake. Abramovich responded that such legalisation required approval from other partners in their equal joint venture (Rusal), mentioning Oleg Deripaska among others. Abramovich’s legal team later contended that "legalisation" referred to reorganizing protection payments to comply with Western anti-money laundering regulations.
The Times reported:
Court documents filed by Abramovich stated:
Technology Investments
In 2015, Abramovich spearheaded a $30 million investment round alongside entrepreneur OD Kobo, Chairman of PIR Equities, backing the Music Messenger application. This initiative also involved prominent music artists such as David Guetta, Nicki Minaj, and will.i.am. Additionally, he committed more than $30 million to StoreDot, a company established by Doron Myersdorf.
Chelsea Football Club
Abramovich took ownership of Chelsea in June 2003, launching an assertive commercial plan aimed at transforming the club into a global powerhouse capable of competing with elite teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid. Part of this vision included developing a cutting-edge training facility in Cobham, Surrey.
During his stewardship, Chelsea amassed 21 significant trophies: two UEFA Champions League crowns, two UEFA Europa League titles, one UEFA Supercup, one FIFA Club World Cup, five Premier League championships, five FA Cups—including the club’s inaugural league and FA Cup double in 2010—three League Cups, and two FA Community Shields. This trophy haul positioned Chelsea as one of England’s most decorated clubs during Abramovich’s era, rivaled only by Manchester United. Nevertheless, this period was characterized by frequent managerial turnovers and substantial transfer expenditures, highlighted by the record-breaking £30 million signing of Andriy Shevchenko. The term "Chelski" emerged among critics to describe the phenomenon of wealthy proprietors leveraging personal fortunes to dominate player acquisitions.
From a financial perspective, Chelsea reported unprecedented losses amounting to £140 million (€165 million) for the fiscal year ending June 2005, which improved to £80.2 million (€94.3 million) by June 2006. Abramovich foresaw a reduction in transfer spending thereafter. These financial trends influenced UEFA’s implementation of Financial Fair Play regulations.
In Abramovich’s inaugural season, Chelsea secured second place in the Premier League and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. His second season saw the appointment of José Mourinho as manager; under Mourinho’s leadership, Chelsea clinched their first league title in half a century during the 2004–05 campaign. Abramovich notably invested heavily in Portuguese players, allocating over €165 million to acquire talent from Benfica and Porto.
Abramovich maintained active involvement during matches and with team members but was reportedly engaged in a widely publicized disagreement with Mourinho in 2007 concerning player performances.
In March 2017, Chelsea gained approval for a £500 million redevelopment project at Stamford Bridge intended to increase stadium capacity to 60,000 spectators. However, due to delays linked to Abramovich’s UK visa complications and an unfavorable investment environment, these plans were abandoned in May 2018 despite his planned multi-hundred-million-pound commitment.
Abramovich has refuted allegations that he bought Chelsea on behalf of Vladimir Putin; these accusations were withdrawn following libel proceedings against author Catherine Belton and publisher HarperCollins.
In 2021, Abramovich faced backlash for initially endorsing Chelsea’s participation in the controversial European Super League but subsequently retracted support after widespread criticism. Forbes reported in 2022 that Abramovich was owed $2 billion by Chelsea as a financial safeguard amid concerns over UK sanctions stemming from his Russian associations.
On 26 February 2022, against the backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, Abramovich handed over control of Chelsea to its charitable foundation. He declared on 2 March 2022 his intent to sell the club due to geopolitical pressures. The UK government froze his assets on 10 March but permitted Chelsea’s football activities to proceed. On 12 March, the Premier League removed him as a club director.
On 7 May 2022, Chelsea announced that an investor group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, operating under the name BlueCo, had reached an agreement to purchase the club.
CSKA Moscow
In March 2004, Sibneft entered into a sponsorship agreement with Russian football club CSKA Moscow valued at €41.3 million (US$58 million) over three years. While the management presented this as a strategic business move, some interpreted it as Abramovich’s reaction to allegations of lacking patriotism after acquiring Chelsea. Due to UEFA rules prohibiting ownership stakes in multiple teams competing in their tournaments, Abramovich did not hold shares in CSKA; instead, his involvement was represented by lawyer Alexandre Garese.
Following an inquiry, UEFA found no conflict of interest involving Abramovich. By mid-2004, the magazine Pro Sport recognized him as the "most influential figure in Russian football." In May 2005, CSKA claimed the UEFA Cup, becoming the first Russian club to win a major European trophy. Nevertheless, after Abramovich sold his Sibneft shares to Gazprom, which sponsors Zenit Saint Petersburg, the new ownership ended the CSKA sponsorship in October 2005.
Russian national team
Abramovich was instrumental in bringing Guus Hiddink on board as head coach of the Russia national football team. This recommendation came from Piet de Visser, former chief scout at Hiddink's club PSV Eindhoven and later Abramovich’s personal assistant at Chelsea.
National Academy of Football
The National Academy of Football in Russia receives sponsorship from Abramovich, supporting youth sports initiatives across the country. The organisation has constructed more than fifty football fields, finances coach education, produces training materials, renovates sports facilities, and arranges visits to professional clubs in England, the Netherlands, and Spain. In 2006, it assumed control of the Konoplyov football academy near Togliatti, which accommodates over 1,000 young athletes following the passing of its founder, Yuri Konoplev.
Political career
Abramovich was elected to the State Duma in 1999 as a representative for the economically challenged Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and established the charity Pole of Hope aimed at supporting local communities, particularly children. In December 2000, he succeeded Aleksandr Nazarov as governor of Chukotka.
During his governorship from 2000 until 2008, Abramovich reportedly invested upwards of US$1.3 billion (€925 million) into regional development projects. Under his administration, average monthly wages increased from approximately US$165 (€117) in 2000 to US$826 (€588) by 2006. He was awarded the Order of Honour for his substantial role in boosting Chukotka’s economy.
In July 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev accepted Abramovich’s resignation as governor; nonetheless, he continued his philanthropic efforts within the region.
Informal Ukraine diplomacy
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian business leaders reached out to Abramovich to serve as an unofficial intermediary with Putin.
He notably contributed to securing the release of Aiden Aslin and other foreign prisoners held by Russia.
Sanctions
Roman Abramovich is identified as one of the Russian oligarchs subject to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) implemented in 2017.[6] Additionally, he is included among the Navalny 35.[7]
In response to Russia’s military action in Ukraine, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Abramovich on 10 March 2022, which included freezing his assets within the UK and enforcing a travel ban. These measures were based on allegations linking him to the Kremlin and his participation in enterprises manufacturing steel utilized in Russian defense equipment.[8][9] Abramovich has denied maintaining close connections with the Kremlin.[5]
Subsequently, Canada, Australia, the European Union, Switzerland, and New Zealand enacted similar sanctions between March and April 2022.[10][11][12][13]
Reports from late March 2022 indicated that Abramovich was exploring real estate opportunities in Dubai, a location without sanctions restrictions.[14] The United States postponed imposing sanctions on him following a request from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, acknowledging Abramovich’s involvement in diplomatic discussions with Russia.[15]
In December 2022, Canadian authorities initiated asset seizure actions under the Special Economic Measures Act targeting properties connected to Abramovich, including $26 million held by Granite Capital Holdings Ltd.[16]
By December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union rejected Abramovich’s appeal challenging the EU sanctions imposed on him.[17]
As of June 2025, £2.5 billion derived from Chelsea’s sale remains frozen. Abramovich has committed these funds to aid Ukrainian victims of the conflict, while the UK government is considering legal measures to guarantee that the money is allocated exclusively for humanitarian purposes.[18][19]
Reported poisoning incident
During the peace negotiations held on 3 and 4 March 2022 near the Ukraine–Belarus border, Roman Abramovich, Ukrainian politician Rustem Umierov, and another delegate exhibited symptoms indicative of probable chemical poisoning. These symptoms included intense eye pain, inflammation, and skin peeling. Fortunately, all three individuals recovered swiftly. An investigation by Bellingcat proposed that the poison might have been introduced through chocolate or water consumed by the group; however, samples collected later proved inconclusive due to the time delay. Western intelligence sources suggested that this low-level toxin was likely intended as a warning directed at Abramovich, potentially orchestrated by hardline factions within Moscow aiming to disrupt the peace process.
Contrastingly, a U.S. official attributed their illness to "environmental factors" rather than deliberate poisoning. Ukrainian authorities reported that the participants were "fine," with one official dismissing the poisoning claims as "false." BBC correspondent Frank Gardner speculated that the U.S. denial might be motivated by a desire to avoid escalating tensions by acknowledging chemical weapon usage in Ukraine. A representative for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed no knowledge of any suspected poisoning incidents.
Boris Yeltsin
By 1996, at just 30 years old, Abramovich had developed a close rapport with President Boris Yeltsin and was invited by the Yeltsin family to reside in an apartment within the Kremlin.
In 1999, Abramovich was elected governor of Russia’s Chukotka region and later won a second term in 2005 following approval from the regional parliament.
Vladimir Putin
Abramovich played a pivotal role in recommending Vladimir Putin as Yeltsin’s successor. When Putin assembled his initial cabinet in 1999, Abramovich conducted interviews with prospective members prior to their confirmation. He remained a trusted advisor to Putin and influenced presidential succession plans in 2007 by endorsing Dmitry Medvedev.
Biographer Chris Hutchins characterized their bond as resembling that of a father and favored son. Abramovich consistently demonstrated formal respect toward Putin, addressing him using the Russian formal pronoun "вы." Within Kremlin circles, he was commonly referred to as "Mr. A."
In 2012, High Court judge Elizabeth Gloster determined that Abramovich’s sway over Putin was limited and rejected allegations that he manipulated officials for business advantages. Gloster ruled in Abramovich’s favor during a legal dispute with oligarch Boris Berezovsky, though controversy emerged due to her stepson’s paid role as Abramovich’s barrister. Berezovsky claimed political bias influenced the verdict.
By 2021, U.S. intelligence reportedly regarded Abramovich as a financial intermediary or “bag carrier” for Putin.
Claims by Boris Berezovsky
In 2011, Boris Berezovsky initiated a civil lawsuit against Abramovich titled Berezovsky v Abramovich in London’s High Court; however, the case did not succeed.
Bribery accusations
Court documents reported by The Times in 2008 revealed that Abramovich allegedly admitted to paying billions of dollars for political favors and protection fees connected to shares in Russia’s oil and aluminum industries.
Loan fraud allegations
A Swiss inquiry connected Abramovich and several other Russian individuals to a US$4.8 billion loan from the IMF, which was alleged to have been diverted for personal use; nonetheless, an audit commissioned by the IMF verified that all funds were appropriately utilized.
In January 2005, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) declared its intention to initiate legal action against Abramovich regarding a £9 million loan. The EBRD asserted that Runicom, an oil trading firm controlled by Abramovich and Eugene Shvidler, owed it US$17.5 million. A representative for Abramovich confirmed that the loan had been fully settled.
Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service accused Evraz Holding—which Abramovich partly owns—of breaching Russian competition law by enforcing disadvantageous conditions on contractors and discriminating against local consumers concerning coking coal, a vital resource in steel manufacturing.
Conflict with Kolomoyskyi
In 2014, Vladimir Putin alleged that Ukrainian-Cypriot-Israeli oligarch Igor Kolomoyskyi violated a multibillion-dollar agreement with Abramovich by failing to fulfill contractual obligations.
Environmental and climate considerations
By 2015, Abramovich’s $766 million investment in Evraz included roughly a quarter stake in Russia’s largest coal mine, the Raspadskaya complex, whose reserves correspond to approximately 1.5 gigatons of carbon emissions—an amount comparable to Russia’s yearly emissions. According to The Conversation, Abramovich was accountable for at least 33,859 metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2018, predominantly generated by his yacht.
Support for Israeli settlements
Investigations uncovered that Abramovich controls entities which contributed $100 million to the settler group Elad, an organization promoting Jewish settlement in annexed East Jerusalem and the City of David. Leaked documents from the FinCEN Files identify him as Elad’s largest individual benefactor.
Personal life
Those familiar with Abramovich describe him as discreet, reserved, strategic, and highly efficient. He tends to dress modestly, exhibits shyness, and seldom maintains direct eye contact.
Marriages and offspring
Abramovich has experienced three marriages ending in divorce. After a short period serving in the Soviet Army, he wed Olga Yurevna Lysova in December 1987; their marriage ended in 1990. In October 1991, he married Irina Malandina, a former Aeroflot flight attendant. They have five children: Ilya, Arina, Sofia, Arkadiy, and Anna. His eldest daughter Anna graduated from Columbia University and resides in New York City; Sofia is a professional equestrian living in London following her graduation from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Reports surfaced in 2006 about Abramovich's relationship with Dasha Zhukova, daughter of Russian oligarch Alexander Zhukov. In March 2007, Abramovich and Malandina divorced in Russia with a reported settlement of US$300 million (€213 million). He married Zhukova in 2008; they share two children, Aaron Alexander and Leah Lou. The couple announced their separation in August 2017 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
Israeli citizenship
In May 2018, following delays by the UK government to renew his Tier-1 investor visa amid heightened tensions after the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, Abramovich acquired Israeli citizenship. As a Russian Jew, he claimed this right under Israel’s Law of Return. This status grants him visa-free access to the UK but prohibits work or business engagements there.
Abramovich owns the Varsano boutique hotel located in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek district, which he purchased in 2015 for 100 million NIS from Yaron and Guy Varsano. In January 2020, he acquired property in Herzliya Pituah for a record price of 226 million NIS.
His philanthropic efforts include an investment of about $30 million to found a nanoscience and nanotechnology research center at Tel Aviv University and more than $60 million donated to Sheba Medical Center for advanced medical programs such as nuclear medicine, cancer studies, pediatric cardiology, and the Sheba Heart Center. He also funded a forest restoration initiative in Israel’s Negev desert through Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund aimed at combating desertification and promoting eco-tourism. Additionally, Abramovich has invested roughly $120 million across twenty Israeli startups focused on sectors including medicine, renewable energy technologies, and social media platforms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic surge in 2021, he contributed funds toward constructing a new 5,400 square meter underground Intensive Care Unit at Sheba Hospital to strengthen Israel’s emergency healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, Abramovich supports Jewish cultural projects such as Tel Aviv’s M.ART contemporary culture festival.
Disputes in Switzerland
In July 2016, Abramovich sought to obtain a residence permit in the tax-advantageous canton of Valais, Switzerland, with the goal of relocating his tax domicile there. Although local officials granted approval, the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration encountered resistance from FedPol investigators, leading Abramovich to retract his application by June 2017. Following a legal battle lasting three years, Swiss authorities exonerated him of all allegations in 2021.
Disputes in Portugal
Abramovich was granted Portuguese citizenship in April 2021 under the Nationality Act after specialists examined his ancestry for connections to Sephardic Jewish heritage. Despite scarce evidence supporting Sephardi Jewish lineage in Russia, he had sponsored initiatives commemorating Portuguese Sephardi Jews in Hamburg. In March 2022, Rabbi Daniel Litvak—who authenticated Abramovich's Sephardic roots—was detained amid accusations concerning fraudulent nationality certifications. These charges were eventually dismissed due to insufficient proof, with judicial authorities criticizing the prosecution’s approach and labeling the claims as vague.
Financial Status
According to Forbes in March 2016, Abramovich's estimated net worth was $7.6 billion, positioning him as the 155th wealthiest individual worldwide. Prior to the 2008 financial crisis, he ranked as the second richest person in the United Kingdom. Early assessments in 2009 indicated a £3 billion decline from his £11.7 billion fortune as a result of the crisis. In mid-2020, he divested Highland Gold, a gold mining company, selling it to Vladislav Sviblov. By March 2021, Forbes reported his net worth at US$14.5 billion, elevating him to 113th place on their list of billionaires.
Wealth standings
| get Legend | |
|---|---|
| Icon | Explanation |
| Steady | No change in wealth compared to previous year |
| Increase | Increase in wealth from prior year |
| Template:Loss | Decline in wealth relative to previous year |
Charitable donations
Abramovich is considered the most generous living Russian, having contributed over $2.5 billion between 2009 and 2013 to the development of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure in Chukotka. He allocated around $1.5 billion to the Pole of Hope charity, which supports the Arctic area where he once served as governor. Moreover, Evraz Plc (EVR), a steel company partly owned by Abramovich, donated 164 million to social initiatives from 2010 to 2012; these funds are separate from his personal donations totaling 310 million during the same timeframe.
Over two decades, he has given upwards of $500 million to Jewish organizations globally, earning recognition from the Forum for Jewish Culture and Religion. In June 2019, Abramovich contributed $5 million to the Jewish Agency for Israel to help combat anti-Semitism worldwide.
He created a memorial forest consisting of 25,000 trees honoring Lithuanian Jews who perished in the Holocaust, accompanied by a virtual remembrance platform called Seed a Memory that enables people worldwide to pay tribute. Additionally, he financed the restoration of the Jewish cemetery in Altona, Hamburg, through partnerships with B'nai B'rith International Portugal and Hamburg’s Chabad. As a prominent supporter of the Chabad movement, Abramovich is also a major patron of both the Portuguese Jewish community and B'nai B'rith International Portugal, alongside Michael Kadoorie and Jacob Safra.
His funding extends to an Israeli initiative that brings together Jewish and Arab children via football coaching programs. Chelsea FC backs this effort by financing operations and training local coaches. The Playing Fair, Leading Peace program encourages coexistence and fights discrimination among more than 1,000 children annually. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Abramovich covered accommodation expenses for NHS workers at Stamford Bridge Millennium Hotel.
Abramovich holds the position of chairman at the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and acts as a trustee for the Moscow Jewish Museum.
Opposition to anti-semitism and hatred
Under Abramovich’s leadership, Chelsea entered a three-year collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League aimed at expanding their Center on Extremism. Amid the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Abramovich was subjected to antisemitic attacks.
Tony Burnett, CEO of Kick It Out, commended Chelsea’s firm stance against anti-Semitism and pledged that his organization would intensify its efforts to combat such prejudice. While Kick It Out has traditionally concentrated on racism targeting black players and coaches, it has since broadened its approach to more vigorously address anti-Semitism.
The Chelsea Foundation worked alongside the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and the Israeli Football Association to introduce football sessions uniting Arab and Jewish children in Israel. This program originated from Chelsea Women’s 2019 visit to Israel and supported approximately 1,000 children in its inaugural year.
Properties
In 2009, Abramovich acquired a 15-bedroom residence located at 16 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, for £90 million.
He purchased four townhouses on Manhattan’s Upper East Side—9, 11, 13, and 15 East 75th Street—for $74 million. These properties are being merged into a single expansive home measuring 19,400 square feet, with renovation expenses projected at $100 million.
By 2022, Abramovich owned a $50 million estate known as Wildcat Ridge near Snowmass Village, Colorado.
Yachts
Roman Abramovich is widely acknowledged as the leading global investor in luxury yachts, with his collection frequently referred to as "Abramovich's Navy."
- Current vessels
- Eclipse – Constructed by Blohm + Voss in Germany and launched in September 2009. After initial delays during sea trials, the yacht showcases design work both inside and out by Terence Disdale. Valued at approximately US$400 million, it held the title of the largest privately owned yacht until the 180 m Azzam surpassed it in 2013. It boasts amenities such as two swimming pools, a cinema, two helipads, multiple tenders, and a submarine capable of descending to 160 feet. Security measures include armored plating around the bridge and master suite along with bullet-resistant windows.
- Solaris – This 460-foot megayacht, estimated at around $610 million, contains 48 cabins spread across eight decks and is known for its advanced security features.
- A 67-meter yacht named Garçon, docked in Antigua, was reported by the Financial Times in 2022 as being associated with Abramovich.
- Previously owned vessels
- Pelorus – Built by Lürssen in 2003 for Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Abdulmalik Al-Sheikh and later acquired by Abramovich prior to completion. Interior designs were by Terence Disdale, with exterior styling by Tim Heywood. It underwent upgrades in 2005 adding a helipad and stabilizers. In 2009, it was transferred to Irina Abramovich amid their divorce settlement and subsequently sold to David Geffen for US$300 million in 2011.
- Sussurro – A Feadship yacht constructed in 1998 originally commissioned by Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Abdulmalik Al-Sheikh.
- Ecstasea – At its launch in 2004, this was Feadship’s largest vessel made for Abramovich, featuring a gas turbine engine alongside diesel engines to achieve higher speeds. It was sold to the Al Nayhan family in 2009.
- Le Grand Bleu – Purchased in 2003 and extensively refurbished by Blohm + Voss with additions such as a swim platform and sports dock. It was gifted to associate Eugene Shvidler in June 2006.
- Luna – Delivered in 2009 as an enhanced successor to Le Grand Bleu. Highlights include a fuel capacity of one million liters, seven engines generating a total of 15,000 hp, eight tenders, an ice-class steel hull, and ten VIP suites. The yacht was sold to billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov for US$360 million in April 2014.
Aircraft
Abramovich owns a private Boeing 767-33A/ER, registered under Aruba as P4-MES and nicknamed The Bandit due to its unique paint scheme. Initially ordered by Hawaiian Airlines but cancelled before delivery, Abramovich acquired it directly from Boeing. The aircraft underwent customization by Andrew Winch tailored to his preferences. As of 2016, it was valued at $300 million and features a dining area seating 30 guests, a boardroom, master bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms with showers, and an expansive living space. It is outfitted with the same missile defense system used on Air Force One. In 2021, he upgraded this aircraft to a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Art
Abramovich has contributed significantly to the arts through sponsorship of major exhibitions such as Soviet photographer Max Penson's displays at London's Gilbert Collection (2006) and "Quiet Resistance: Russian Pictorial Photography 1900s–1930s" (2005), both curated by the Moscow House of Photography.
In May 2008, he became a prominent figure in the global art auction scene by purchasing Francis Bacon's Triptych 1976 for €61.4 million (US$86.3 million), setting a record for post-war artwork sales. Additionally, he acquired Lucian Freud's Benefits Supervisor Sleeping for €23.9 million (US$33.6 million), which was then the highest price paid for a living artist’s work.
His ex-wife Dasha Zhukova oversees Moscow's Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, located within the restored historic Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage, designed by Konstantin Melnikov. The rapid restoration completed between 2007 and 2008 was largely funded by Abramovich’s patronage and allowed the center to reopen publicly in September 2008.
New Year's Eve festivities
In 2011, Abramovich arranged for the Red Hot Chili Peppers to entertain guests at his Baie de Gouverneur residence in St. Barth, reportedly investing £5 million for an audience of 300, which included notable figures such as George Lucas, Martha Stewart, Marc Jacobs, and Jimmy Buffett. The concert featured a guest appearance by Toots Hibbert. Later, in 2014, he hired English vocalist Robbie Williams to headline a New Year's gala attended by Vladimir Putin's close associates in Moscow, an occasion that inspired Williams' track "Party Like a Russian".
In popular culture
Abramovich plays a prominent role in Peter Morgan's 2022 theatrical production Patriots, which portrays the life story of Boris Berezovsky.
See also
- List of Jews in sports (non-players)
- List of Russian billionaires
- Russian oligarchs
- List of people and organizations sanctioned during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- List of Jews born in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union
- Todd Boehly
Sources
Further reading
- Midgley, Dominic; Hutchins, Chris. Abramovich: The Billionaire from Nowhere. Harper Collins Willow, 2005. ISBN 978-0-00-718984-7
- Hoffman, David. The Oligarchs: Wealth and Power in the New Russia. Public Affairs, 2003. ISBN 978-1-58648-202-2
- Bennetts, Marc. Football Dynamo – Modern Russia and the People's Game. Virgin Books, 2008. ISBN 978-0-7535-1319-4
- Stenning, Paul. Waste of Money: Overspending in Football. Pitch Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-1905411931
External links
- Profile and assets of Abramovich on Russian Asset Tracker
- Forbes: Roman Abramovich
- Roman Abramovich: Not Your Everyday Owner (Bleacher Report, 2010)
- Pravda: Roman Abramovich tops Russia's richest men list (2005)
- BBC Profile: Roman Abramovich (2012)
- The Main People in the Russian Art (2010)
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBBC_2022-03-10 - ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:4 - ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedmt1 - ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).