Introduction
Leonid Mikhelson is one of the most prominent billionaires in Russia and a major figure in the energy industry. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Novatek, Russia’s largest independent natural gas production company, and its largest private producer of natural gas.
His business has gained momentum with crucial projects like building oil terminals and developing new Russian pipelines. Through shrewd investments and strategic partnerships, he has turned Novatek into an economic powerhouse estimated to be worth billions of dollars. Novatek produces almost 10% of all natural gas in Russia and employs over 40 thousand people.
Early Life
Leonid Mikhelson, one of the wealthiest men in Russia, experienced a rather humble upbringing. Born in 1952 in the rural Soviet province of Vologda, his family struggled with poverty during much of his early life. Despite the hard times, his father Leonid Mikhelson ensured he received an education and worked a manual labor job to support his daughter’s dream of attending university.
As a young man, Leonid left his hometown and pursued hydrocarbon engineering at St Petersburg Polytechnic University before eventually starting up his own businesses back home in Vologda.
Net Worth
The net worth of Russian businessman Leonid Mikhelson is an impressive figure. Having made his fortune as the CEO of gas company Novatek since it began trading in 1996, Forbes has estimated that his wealth currently amounts to an astounding USD 24 billion. He successfully beat Wang Wei in overall net worth.
Clearly, Mikhelson has achieved tremendous success in the business world and is considered one of the wealthiest people in Russia. His commitment to Novatek’s growth and development has been instrumental in helping mould it into a prosperous international business venture highly respected by its peers within the industry.
Trivia
Though much about his personal life remains private, some lesser-known facts about Leonid Mikhelson are worth mentioning. For starters, he has been nicknamed “The Secret Tycoon” because he prefers to stay out of the media spotlight.
Secondly, he served in the Soviet military as an officer for two years before beginning his business career. Last but not least, he’s known for his shrewdness and calculated approach to building economic empires – fitting traits considering his current wealth!
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