Russia’s 23 richest billionaires grew richer by more than $20 billion in the first three months of 2019, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The number of billionaires in Russia has shrunk from 101 in 2018 to 98 this year, with Forbes estimating their combined wealth growing from $409.3 billion to $421 billion. An estimated 89 percent of Russia’s wealth is owned by the richest 10 percent of the population.
The Bloomberg index states that 23 Russians included in the world’s 500 richest people saw a windfall of $22.3 billion since the beginning of the year.
Commodities magnate Vladimir Potanin, named by Bloomberg as Russia’s richest man and 39th in the world, raised his net worth by $1.67 billion to $21.3 billion.
Steel tycoon Vladimir Lisin placed second — and 40th in the world — with a $2.64 billion increase and a total net worth of $20.5 billion.
Gas magnate Leonid Mikhelson’s fortune grew by a modest $553 million to reach $20 billion, earning him the 44th spot in Bloomberg’s index.
In fourth place and 45th in the world, oil tycoon Vagit Alekperov had the most profitable first quarter of 2019 with $3.83 billion earned and a net worth of $19.9 billion.
