Roman Abramovich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roman Abramovich
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| Роман Абрамович | |
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Abramovich in 2021
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| Governor of Chukotka | |
| In office 17 December 2000 – 3 July 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Aleksandr Nazarov |
| Succeeded by | Roman Kopin |
| Member of the State Duma from Chukotka constituency | |
| In office 10 January 2000 – 17 December 2000 |
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| Preceded by | Vladimir Babichev |
| Succeeded by | Vladimir Yetylin |
| Owner of Chelsea Football Club | |
| In office June 2003 – 20 June 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Ken Bates |
| Succeeded by | Todd Boehly, Hansjörg Wyss and Mark Walter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 October 1966 Saratov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Citizenship |
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| Political party | Independent |
| Spouses |
Olga Lysova
(m. 1987; div. 1990)Irina Malandina
(m. 1991; div. 2007) |
| Children | 7, including Arkadiy Abramovich |
| Education | Moscow State Law University Russian State University of Oil and Gas |
| Occupation |
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| Known for |
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| Awards |
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Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (Russian: Роман Аркадьевич Абрамович, IPA: [rɐˈman ɐrˈkadʲjɪvʲɪtɕ ɐbrɐˈmovʲɪtɕ]; born 24 October 1966) is a well-known businessman and politician. He holds citizenship in Russia, Israel, and Portugal. He is most famous for being the former owner of Chelsea, a top football club in London, England. He also owns a private investment company called Millhouse.
From 2000 to 2008, he was the Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, a region in Russia. In 2021, his wealth was estimated at $14.5 billion by Forbes. He became very wealthy in the 1990s after the Soviet Union ended. He bought state-owned companies at low prices during a special program. Abramovich has denied claims of having a close relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich was born on 24 October 1966 in Saratov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. His mother, Irina, was a music teacher who died when he was one year old. His father, Aaron Abramovich Leibovich, died when Roman was three. Roman's grandparents on his father's side were Belarusian Jews. They moved to Tauragė, Lithuania.
In 1940, the Soviet Union took over Lithuania. Before the Nazi German invasion, many families were sent to Siberia. Abramovich's grandparents were separated during this time. His grandfather died in a camp in 1942.
After losing both parents very young, Abramovich was raised by relatives. He spent much of his childhood in the Komi Republic in northern Russia. Today, Abramovich is the Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia. He is also a trustee of the Moscow Jewish Museum. He has helped create a forest of 25,000 trees in Lithuania. This forest remembers the Jews who died in the Holocaust.
Business Ventures
Abramovich started his business journey during his time in the army. He first sold things on the street. Then, he worked as a mechanic in a factory. He studied at the Gubkin Institute of Oil and Gas in Moscow. Later, he traded goods for a Swiss company called Runicom.
In 1988, when Russia started allowing private businesses, Abramovich and his first wife, Olga, opened a company making dolls. In just a few years, his businesses grew. He traded in oil, timber, sugar, and food.
Buying Sibneft Oil Company
In 1995, Abramovich and another businessman, Boris Berezovsky, bought a major oil company called Sibneft. They bought it in a special auction. Each paid $100 million for half of the company. The company quickly became worth billions. Many people later thought the company should have cost much more. By 2000, Sibneft was producing $3 billion worth of oil each year.
After Sibneft, Abramovich also got involved in the aluminium industry. He sold Sibneft to the Russian government in 2005 for $13 billion.
Technology Investments
In 2015, Abramovich invested $30 million in a company called StoreDot. This company was founded by Doron Myersdorf. He also invested in other technology projects.
Football Involvement
Chelsea Football Club Ownership
In June 2003, Roman Abramovich became the owner of Chelsea, a football club in West London. The club immediately started a big plan to grow. They wanted Chelsea to become a famous worldwide brand. They also planned to build a new, modern training center.
During his time as owner, Chelsea won many major trophies. These include the UEFA Champions League twice and the Premier League five times. Chelsea became the most successful English team in terms of trophies during his ownership.
Abramovich was often at Chelsea games. He showed a lot of emotion, which fans saw as a true love for the sport. He would often visit the players in the dressing room after matches.
In March 2017, Chelsea got approval for a new $500 million stadium. However, in 2018, plans for the stadium were stopped. This was due to an "unfavorable investment climate" and questions about Abramovich's immigration status.
In 2021, Abramovich was criticized when Chelsea tried to join the new European Super League. This league was seen as favoring rich clubs. But just two days later, Abramovich pulled Chelsea out of the league.
In February 2022, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Abramovich gave control of the club to the Chelsea Charitable Foundation. On March 2, 2022, he announced he was selling the club. On March 10, the UK government froze his assets due to his ties to the Kremlin. However, Chelsea was allowed to continue its football activities. On May 7, 2022, a new group led by Todd Boehly bought the club.
CSKA Moscow Sponsorship
In 2004, Abramovich's company, Sibneft, sponsored the Russian team CSKA Moscow. The deal was worth €41.3 million over three years. UEFA rules prevent one person from owning more than one team in UEFA competitions. So, Abramovich did not own CSKA. In 2005, CSKA won the UEFA Cup. This made them the first Russian club to win a major European football competition. Later that year, Abramovich sold Sibneft. The new owner, Gazprom, ended the sponsorship deal.
Supporting Russian Football
Abramovich also helped bring Guus Hiddink to Russia to coach the Russia national football team. He also supports the National Academy of Football in Russia. This organization helps youth sports programs. It has built over fifty football pitches and funds training for coaches.
Political Career
In 1999, Abramovich was elected to the State Duma. This is a part of the Russian parliament. He represented Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, a poor region in the Russian Far East. He started a charity called Pole of Hope to help the people there, especially children. In December 2000, he was elected governor of Chukotka.
Abramovich was governor from 2000 to 2008. He is believed to have invested over $1.3 billion in the region. He received the Order of Honour for his "huge contribution to the economic development" of Chukotka. In 2008, he resigned as governor, but his charity work in the region continued.
Ukraine Diplomacy and Sanctions
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich was asked by Ukrainian officials to help with peace talks. He played a key role in getting foreign prisoners of war released from Russia.
However, Abramovich has also faced sanctions from several countries. On March 10, 2022, the UK froze his assets and banned him from traveling. This was due to his alleged ties to the Kremlin. Canada, Australia, and the European Union also put sanctions on him. Abramovich denies having close ties to Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.
Personal Life
People who know Abramovich describe him as private and quiet. He is said to be calculating and efficient. He often dresses simply and is described as shy.
Family and Children
Abramovich has been married and divorced three times. In 1987, he married Olga Yurevna Lysova. They divorced in 1990. In 1991, he married Irina Malandina. They have five children: Ilya, Arina, Sofia, Arkadiy, and Anna. His daughter Sofia is a professional equestrian.
In March 2007, he and Irina divorced. He later married Dasha Zhukova in 2008. They have two children, Aaron Alexander and Leah Lou. They divorced in 2018.
Citizenship and Homes
In May 2018, Abramovich became an Israeli citizen. This happened after the UK delayed renewing his visa. As an Israeli citizen, he can visit Britain without a visa.
Abramovich owns a hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 2020, he bought another property in Herzliya Pituah, Israel, for a record price. He has also donated a lot of money to Tel Aviv University for a nanoscience center. He has given over $60 million to the Sheba Medical Center in Israel for medical projects.
Wealth and Giving Back
According to Forbes, Abramovich's wealth was $14.5 billion in 2021. He has given a lot of money to charity. Between 2009 and 2013, he donated over $2.5 billion to build schools, hospitals, and roads in Chukotka. He has spent about £1.5 billion on his Pole of Hope charity.
He has also given more than $500 million to Jewish causes around the world. In 2019, he donated $5 million to the Jewish Agency for Israel to fight anti-Semitism. He funds a program in Israel that brings Jewish and Arab children together through football. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he paid for NHS staff to stay at the Stamford Bridge Millennium Hotel.
Fighting Anti-Semitism
During Abramovich's ownership, Chelsea partnered with the Anti-Defamation League. This partnership aimed to fight anti-Semitism. Chelsea has been praised for its strong stance against anti-Semitism. The Chelsea Foundation also started a program with the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. This program brings Arab and Jewish children together for football sessions in Israel.
Properties and Yachts
In 2009, he bought a 15-bedroom mansion in London for £90 million. He also bought four townhouses in Manhattan, New York City. He plans to combine them into a large mansion.
Abramovich is known for owning many luxury yachts. His current yachts include Eclipse and Solaris. Eclipse is 162.5 meters long and has two swimming pools, a cinema, and two helicopter pads. It also has armor plating and bulletproof windows.
Aircraft
Abramovich owns a private Boeing 767-33A/ER aircraft. It is known as The Bandit because of its design. The aircraft has a 30-seat dining room, a boardroom, and luxury bathrooms. It also has a missile avoidance system, similar to Air Force One. In 2021, he changed his Boeing 767 for a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Other Interests
Art Collection
Abramovich has supported art exhibitions. In May 2008, he became a big buyer in the art market. He bought a painting by Francis Bacon for over €61 million. He also bought a painting by Lucian Freud for €23.9 million.
His former wife, Dasha Zhukova, manages the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture in Moscow. This art gallery was restored with Abramovich's support.
New Year's Eve Parties
Abramovich is known for his elaborate New Year's Eve parties. In 2011, he hired the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at his estate. He reportedly spent £5 million on 300 guests. In 2014, he hired English singer Robbie Williams to perform at a New Year's dinner in Moscow.
Images for kids
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The world's second largest expedition yacht, Luna, seen docked in San Diego, January 2013. Sold to Farkhad Akhmedov in April 2014 for US$360 million.
See also
In Spanish: Román Abramóvich para niños
- 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
