Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov was born on September 9, 1953, in Chust, Uzbekistan. He is the eldest of four children, and his father, Burkhan Usmanov, served as the prosecutor of Tashkent.
An ethnic Uzbek, Usmanov holds Russian and British citizenship. In 2012, he was recognized as the richest person in Russia by Forbes, which estimated his wealth at $18.1 billion. In 2013, he was listed among the “50 Most Influential People” by Bloomberg Markets Magazine. According to Forbes, he ranked third among Russia’s wealthiest in 2016.
Usmanov’s key to success—both in business and in life—is his belief that nothing is impossible. Today, he owns a wide array of major assets, including Russia’s largest iron ore company Metalloinvest, telecom giant MegaFon, and a stake in the English football club Arsenal. He has also invested in numerous internet ventures, holding shares in companies like Facebook, VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, and the email service Mail.ru.
Inspired by “The Three Musketeers”
As a child, Usmanov was inspired by The Three Musketeers and developed a passion for fencing. Within two years, he became part of Uzbekistan’s national team and later earned the title of Master of Sport. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Irina Viner, who was training in rhythmic gymnastics at the same sports palace he frequented. In 1971, he enrolled in MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations).
However, in 1980, a dark chapter began when he and the son of a high-ranking official were imprisoned during the infamous “Cotton Affair.” Usmanov was sentenced to eight years but was released early in 1986 for good behavior. Afterward, he founded a tourism company in Uzbekistan, organizing hunting trips for wealthy foreigners. Later, with the help of his university connections, he moved to Russia. His early business ventures included producing polyethylene bags and selling tobacco products.
In 1997, Usmanov graduated from the Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation with a specialization in banking. He soon became involved in state banking, joining the board of the First Independent Bank, which collaborated with major companies like Rosneft, MiG, and Almazyuvelirexport. This period marked his entry into serious business, and not long after, he earned his first billion.
From natural gas to metals
In 1997, Usmanov became head of Gazprominvestholding, where he led efforts to reclaim Gazprom’s assets that had been transferred into private hands. He succeeded in restoring much of the company’s lost value, reestablishing Gazprom as a dominant state monopoly.
By 2004, he had acquired Metalloinvest, one of the world’s leading iron ore holdings, earning him a spot among the globe’s wealthiest. In 2007, he expanded into media and purchased Kommersant, a major publishing house. The following year, he began investing heavily in the internet, becoming a major shareholder in DST Global and Mail.ru Group, eventually gaining full control.
Philanthropy, culture, and sports
Outside of business, Usmanov is deeply committed to philanthropy and the development of Russian culture and sports. In 2007, he bought a collection of paintings from Rostropovich’s widow, Galina Vishnevskaya, for $72 million and donated it to the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. That same year, he purchased and gifted a collection of Soviet-era cartoons to the children’s channel “Bibigon.”
In 2014, he bought scientist James Watson’s Nobel Prize medal at a Christie’s auction in New York for $4.1 million—only to return it to Watson as a gesture of respect for his contribution to DNA research.
In 2008, Usmanov officially launched his charitable foundation “Art, Science and Sport,” spending $126 million in its first year. By 2013, he was recognized as Russia’s leading philanthropic figure.
In the realm of sports, Usmanov has served as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) since 2008. In 2015, he announced a $100 million investment in Virtus.pro, a leading Russian e-sports organization.
Personal life
By 2016, his fortune reached $12.5 billion. He owns two yachts named “Dilbar” after his mother, and a private Airbus A320. According to Viner, her husband is deeply passionate about football and has invested billions into the sport without seeking financial returns.
Usmanov attributes his success to clear strategy and avoiding unnecessary conflicts—an approach that has helped him emerge victorious in even the most challenging business situations.
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