Yevgeny Prigozhin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yevgeny Prigozhin
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Евгений Пригожин
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Yevgeny Prigozhin passport photograph
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| Leader of the Wagner Group | |
| In office February 2014 – 23 August 2023 |
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| Deputy | Mikhail Mizintsev |
| Military commander | Dmitry Utkin |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin (Евгений Викторович Пригожин)
1 June 1961 Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 23 August 2023 (aged 62) Kuzhenkino, Bologovsky District, Tver Oblast, Russia |
| Cause of death | Plane crash |
| Spouse | Lyubov Valentinovna Prigozhina |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Leningrad Chemical and Pharmaceutical Institute (dropped out) |
| Awards |
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| Nickname | "Putin's chef" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Russia |
| Commands | Wagner Group |
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| Business information | |
| Organization |
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Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin (Russian: Евгений Викторович Пригожин, IPA: [jɪvˈɡʲenʲɪj ˈvʲiktərəvʲɪtɕ prʲɪˈɡoʐɨn]) was a powerful Russian businessman and a key figure in the country's politics. He was born on June 1, 1961, and passed away on August 23, 2023.
Prigozhin was known as "Putin's chef" because he owned restaurants and catering companies. These companies provided food services for the Kremlin, which is the official residence of the Russian president. He also led a private military company called the Wagner Group. This group was supported by the Russian government.
For many years, Prigozhin denied being linked to the Wagner Group. However, in September 2022, he finally confirmed that he had founded it. He said he started the group in May 2014. Its purpose was to support Russian forces in the Donbas War against Ukraine.
The Wagner Group played a significant role in Russia's actions in Ukraine. It also supported Russian interests in other countries like Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic. Prigozhin also admitted his involvement in online activities that aimed to influence elections in the United States.
Prigozhin's companies and people he worked with faced economic restrictions from other countries. The FBI even offered a reward for information that could lead to his arrest.
He often spoke out against the Russian Defense Ministry. He accused them of corruption and of not handling the conflict in Ukraine well. On June 23, 2023, he led the Wagner Group in a brief uprising against the Russian military leaders. They took control of the city of Rostov-on-Don and started moving towards Moscow. However, the uprising was called off the next day after talks. Prigozhin agreed to move to Belarus.
On August 23, 2023, Prigozhin died in a plane crash in Tver Oblast, north of Moscow. Nine other people were also on board the plane.
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Yevgeny Prigozhin's Early Life and Education
Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin was born on June 1, 1961. He grew up in Leningrad, which is now called Saint Petersburg, Russia. His mother, Violetta Kirovna Prigozhina, worked as a hospital nurse. His father, Viktor Yevgenyevich Prigozhin, was a mining engineer who died when Yevgeny was nine years old.
His grandfather, Yevgeny Ilyich Prigozhin, was a captain in the Red Army during World War II. He was a brave soldier who fought in important battles.
Yevgeny's stepfather was a ski instructor. He introduced Prigozhin to cross-country skiing. Yevgeny wanted to become a professional skier. He even graduated from a sports school in 1977. But he had to stop his sports career because of an injury. After that, he worked as a fitness trainer for children.
From Hot Dogs to High Society
After 1990, Prigozhin started selling hot dogs with his mother and stepfather. They sold them at an outdoor market in Leningrad. He quickly made a lot of money from this business. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he started many new businesses.
From 1991 to 1997, Prigozhin was involved in the grocery store business. He helped manage Contrast, which was one of the first grocery store chains in Saint Petersburg.
Around the same time, he also got into the gambling business. In 1995, Prigozhin opened his first restaurant. It was called Old Customs House in Saint Petersburg. In 1997, he opened a second restaurant, New Island. This was a unique floating restaurant that became very popular. It was inspired by restaurants along the Seine River in Paris.
New Island became a place where important people dined. In 2001, Prigozhin himself served food to Vladimir Putin and French president Jacques Chirac. He also hosted US president George W. Bush in 2002. In 2003, Putin even celebrated his birthday at New Island.
During the 2000s, Prigozhin became closer to Vladimir Putin. By 2003, he started his own independent restaurants. One of his companies, Concord Catering, began winning many government contracts. He received huge contracts to provide meals for school children and government workers. In 2012, he got a contract worth US$1.2 billion to supply food to the Russian military.
By 2012, he had moved his family into a large home in Saint Petersburg. It had a basketball court and a helicopter pad. He also owned a private jet and a large yacht.
His Family Life
Prigozhin was married to Lyubov Valentinovna Prigozhina. She is a pharmacist and a businesswoman. She owns a chain of unique stores called the Chocolate Museum in Saint Petersburg.
She also owns a spa and wellness center. In 2012, she opened the Crystal Spa & Lounge. This spa won an award in 2013 for being a "Perfect Urban Day Spa." She also owns a boutique hotel called the Crystal Spa & Residence.
Yevgeny and Lyubov had three children. They had two daughters, Polina (born 1992) and Veronika (born 2005). They also had a son named Pavel, who was born in the late 1990s.
Prigozhin's mother, Violetta Prigozhina, was a doctor and educator. She became the legal owner of several of his companies, including Concord Management and Consulting LLC.
His Final Days
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On August 23, 2023, Prigozhin died in a plane crash. The plane was flying from Moscow to Saint Petersburg when it crashed. All 10 people on board died.
Russian news agencies reported that Prigozhin was on the passenger list for the flight. His death was officially confirmed on August 27. This happened after scientists used genetic analysis to identify the remains from the crash.
After his death, people created memorials for Prigozhin in several cities. They placed candles, flowers, and flags to remember him.
See also
In Spanish: Yevgueni Prigozhin para niños
- Elena Khusyaynova
- Arkan
Images for kids
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Bakhmut in April 2023.
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Prigozhin was in a public disagreement with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
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