What is Roman Abramovich's Net Worth?
Roman Abramovich is an Israeli-Russian businessman who has amassed a net worth of $13 billion. Known for his significant influence in both Israel and Russia due to his ventures in politics and business, Abramovich is perhaps most famous globally as the former owner of Chelsea F.C. His immense wealth has occasionally made him the richest person in Israel.
As of now, he ranks as the tenth-richest person in Russia and the 113th-richest in the world. Reports suggest that his net worth was significantly higher before the 2008 financial crisis, during which he lost billions.
He is recognized as one of the most charitable Russian billionaires, having donated over $2.5 billion, mainly to enhance educational and infrastructural facilities in Chukotka, Russia, which he formerly governed.
Abramovich has been a somewhat controversial figure, often labeled as an "oligarch" who amassed his fortune by acquiring Russian state-owned assets after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Early Years
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich was born on October 24, 1966, in Saratov, Soviet Union. Coming from a Jewish family with roots in Lithuania, his parents were exiled to Siberia during the Soviet occupation, and his grandfather was imprisoned in a Gulag. Orphaned by the age of four, Abramovich began his entrepreneurial journey selling goods as a street trader when the Soviet Union started to dissolve and capitalism began to emerge. He initially found success by selling consumer items such as tires and rubber ducks.
Rise to Prominence
Abramovich's wealth multiplied after he built strong connections with Russian government officials, which enabled him to delve deeper into the oil industry. In 1995, he acquired a controlling interest in the Russian oil company Sibneft. He later invested extensively in Russian steel production. More recently, Abramovich has channeled his investments into tech companies.
Ownership of Chelsea F.C.
In 2003, Abramovich purchased Chelsea football club for approximately $250 million. Over the next nine years, he poured significant resources into the club, possibly billions, acquiring high-profile players and helping elevate Chelsea to modern-day prominence.
On February 26, 2022, Abramovich announced he was transferring ownership to a charitable trust. At that time, Chelsea was estimated to be worth between $1 and $2 billion. On April 29, 2022, it was revealed that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought Chelsea for $5.3 billion, with $3.2 billion going to the club's charitable trust and $2.1 billion earmarked for future investments in the club.
Art Collection
Roman Abramovich is famous for his lavish art collection and for sponsoring public exhibits. In 2008, he spent around $86.3 million on a Francis Bacon painting at an auction. He also bought a Lucian Freud piece for about $33.6 million.
Yacht Collection
Abramovich owns an extensive collection of yachts and is frequently cited as the world's leading yacht spender. His fleet includes the Eclipse, a custom yacht built at a cost of about $400 million. The Eclipse was once the largest privately-owned yacht globally, featuring amenities like two swimming pools, two helicopter landing pads, and a detachable submarine. He formerly owned the Pelorus, another grand yacht, which went to his ex-wife as part of the divorce settlement and was later sold for $300 million. In the past, Abramovich owned up to five yachts before the Eclipse, including the Luna, which sold for $360 million.
(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Aircraft Collection
Roman Abramovich's private aircraft fleet is equally impressive. Highlights include a Boeing 767-33A/ER, known as The Bandit. Initially purchased from Hawaiian Airlines, the jet was customized to include a 30-person dining room and luxury bathrooms. It is also equipped with advanced missile avoidance systems similar to those on Air Force One.
In June 2022, the FBI stated its intention to seize two of Abramovich's private jets: a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream, valued at a combined $400 million. The FBI tracked these planes, owned through shell companies in the British Virgin Islands, claiming they violated export sanctions placed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Car Collection
Abramovich owns a car collection reportedly valued at over $11 million. Notable vehicles include a 190-mph Ferrari FXX, one of only 29 ever made, and a limited-edition Pagani Zonda Roadster, one of just 15 produced. His collection also features a Bugatti Veyron, a Mercedes AMG GT3, and an Aston Martin Vulcan.
Real Estate
Abramovich's real estate portfolio is valued at over 340 million pounds. One of his most notable acquisitions includes four adjacent townhouses on Manhattan's Upper East Side, bought for $74 million, with plans to combine them into one "urban castle" at an estimated renovation cost of $100 million.
He also owns a former hotel in Cote d'Azur in the French Riviera, which he purchased for just over 17 million pounds to use as a personal retreat. This property was once valued at under $1.2 million, leading to additional property tax payments imposed by a European court.
Additionally, Abramovich owns a 125-million-pound mansion in London's Kensington Palace Gardens and a 30-million-pound, three-story waterfront penthouse in Chelsea. In 2020, he broke Israeli real estate records by buying a property for $65 million. He also has a 200-acre, $18 million ski ranch in Colorado and another ski slope valued at $5.6 million.
The list of his properties goes on, including a St. Bart's estate worth 54 million pounds and a hotel in Tel Aviv acquired for $17 million from Gal Gadot and her husband. During his divorce, he had to give up a West Sussex estate worth 18 million pounds to his ex-wife. This summary covers just some of his notable real estate holdings.
