# Leonid Mikhelson

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Russian billionaire businessman

Leonid Mikhelson Леонид Михельсон Mikhelson in 2020 Born (1955-08-11) 11 August 1955 (age 70) Kaspiysk, Russian SFSR Citizenship Russia Israel Alma mater Kuibyshev Civil Engineering Institute BEng Master of Engineering Occupation Businessman Known for Major Shareholder of Novatek Richest Person in Russia Title Chairman & CEO, Novatek Spouse Married Children 2

**Leonid Viktorovich Mikhelson** ([Russian](/source/Russian_language): Леони́д Ви́кторович Михельсо́н; born 11 August 1955) is a Russian-Israeli [billionaire](/source/Billionaire) oligarch, businessman, CEO, chairman and major shareholder of the Russian gas company [Novatek](/source/Novatek).[1]

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mikhelson obtained a stake in a privatized pipeline construction company out of which he formed Novatek.[2] He is a business partner of Russian billionaire [Gennady Timchenko](/source/Gennady_Timchenko), a close confidante of Russian leader [Vladimir Putin](/source/Vladimir_Putin).[2]

According to *[Bloomberg Billionaires Index](/source/Bloomberg_Billionaires_Index)* and [Forbes](/source/Forbes), he had a net worth of US$29.5 billion, as of 2025, making him the 64th richest person in the world and the second richest in Russia.[3] According to the 2023 Forbes annual rating, Mikhelson is ranked 4th among Russian billionaires with a net worth of $28.5 billion.[4]

## Biography

Born to an Ashkenazi Jewish family,[5] Mikhelson began his career as an engineer after[6] graduating with a degree in Industrial Civil Engineering from the Samara Institute of Civil Engineering in 1977. He started working as a[7] [foreman](/source/Construction_foreman) at a construction and assembling company in the [Tyumen](/source/Tyumen) area of [Siberia](/source/Siberia). One of his[8] initial projects was work on the Urengoi-Chelyabinsk gas pipeline. In 1985, he was[8] appointed as Chief Engineer of [Ryazantruboprovodstroy](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ryazantruboprovodstroy&action=edit&redlink=1). In 1987, he became General Director of Kuibishevtruboprovodstroy, which, in 1991, was one of the first companies to undergo [privatization](/source/Privatization) after the dissolution of the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Mikhelson continued as managing director at the company, which has been renamed [NOVA](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NOVA_(Kuibishevtruboprovodstroy)&action=edit&redlink=1), until October 1994. He then became General Director of its holding company, [Novafinivest](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Novafinivest&action=edit&redlink=1), which later became known as NOVATEK. From 2008 until 2010 Mikhelson was chairman of the board of directors for OAO [Stroytransgas](/source/Stroytransgas) and OOO Art Finance. He currently holds the position of chairman of the Board of Directors of ZAO [SIBUR](/source/Sibur) and serves on the supervisory board of OAO [Russian Regional Development Bank](/source/Russian_Regional_Development_Bank). SIBUR is a gas processing and petrochemicals company operating 26 production sites across Russia with headquarters in [Moscow](/source/Moscow). Mikhelson owns 57.5% interest in Sibur. He also holds a 25% stake in Novatek.[9] He also owns a megayacht, Pacific.[10][11] He is considered to be one of [Russia's oligarchs](/source/Russian_oligarchs).[12]

Mikhelson has a strong interest in art,[13] stating that “99 per cent” of his interest is in [Russian](/source/Russia) and [contemporary art](/source/Contemporary_art).[14] He also established his own foundation, the [V-A-C Foundation](/source/V-A-C_Foundation), which promotes contemporary Russian art, and has international ties with the [New Museum](/source/New_Museum) in [New York](/source/New_York_City), the Tate museums in the UK, and London's Whitechapel gallery.[15] In May 2017, the foundation also opened an exhibition space in [Venice](/source/Venice) and work is underway to develop V-A-C's first major art centre in Moscow, whose main site is an historic power station on the banks of the [Moskva River](/source/Moskva_River). Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the new centre for contemporary arts and culture in Moscow is due to open in 2021.[16]

## Notable Partnerships

Mikhelson often partners with Russian billionaire [Gennady Timchenko](/source/Gennady_Timchenko)[17] on business and investment projects. They are partners and majority shareholders in Novatek and Sibur. In 2013, Mikhelson and Timchenko sold 12% of Sibur to management partners. Both Mikhelson and Timchenko appear on the [Forbes](/source/Forbes) list of billionaires.[18]

In 2012, he was listed as the second-richest Russian[19] in a number of articles including Bloomberg.[20] Mikhelson and Novatek are the main sponsors of the [Russian Football Union](/source/Russian_Football_Union).

Mikhelson is a recipient of the Russian Federation's Order of the Badge of Honor.[21][22]

## Personal life

Mikhelson is married, with two children, and lives in Moscow.[23][24] His daughter Victoria studied art history at [New York University](/source/New_York_University) and London's [Courtauld Institute](/source/Courtauld_Institute).[25] His VAC Foundation Victoria, the Art of Being Contemporary, is named after her.[25] Mikhelson also holds Israeli citizenship.[26][27]

### Sanctions

Mikhelson is one of many Russian "oligarchs" named in the [Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act](/source/Countering_America's_Adversaries_Through_Sanctions_Act), CAATSA, signed into law by President [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) in 2017.[28] He was sanctioned by the British government in 2022 in relation to [Russo-Ukrainian War](/source/Russo-Ukrainian_War).[29]

## See also

- [List of Russian billionaires](/source/List_of_Russian_billionaires)

- [Energy policy of Russia](/source/Energy_policy_of_Russia)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["NOVATEK : Management"](http://www.novatek.ru/eng/about/managementbios/). Novatek.ru. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) Helman, Christopher. ["Novatek's Leonid Mikhelson: Surviving Russia's Turmoil"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2015/05/06/novateks-leonid-viktorovich-mikhelson-surviving-russias-turmoil/). *Forbes*. Retrieved 4 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bloomberg_3-0)** ["Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Leonid Mikhelson"](https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/leonid-mikhelson/). *Bloomberg.com*. Retrieved 6 October 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["20 богатейших российских бизнесменов в глобальном рейтинге Forbes"](https://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/486924-20-bogatejsih-rossijskih-biznesmenov-v-global-nom-rejtinge-forbes). *Forbes.ru* (in Russian). 4 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [The world's 50 Richest Jews: 31-40](https://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/The-worlds-50-Richest-Jews-31-40) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140221035945/http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/The-worlds-50-Richest-Jews-31-40) 21 February 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Leonid Mikhelson - Chairman of the Board of Directors"](http://sibur.com/about/controls/directors/person50/). *Sibur.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150203194700/http://sibur.com/about/controls/directors/person50/) from the original on 3 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Leonid Viktorovich Mikhelson"](http://history.caspianenergy.net/enperson/info/89). *Caspian Energy*.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_8-1) ["Leonid Mikhelson's Sibur Buys 25% Joint Venture Interest In New Siberian Polypropylene Plant"](http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/05/29/leonid-mikhelsons-sibur-buys-25-joint-venture-interest-in-new-siberian-polypropylene-plant/). 29 May 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150203202440/http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/05/29/leonid-mikhelsons-sibur-buys-25-joint-venture-interest-in-new-siberian-polypropylene-plant/) from the original on 3 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Helman, Christopher. ["Novatek's Leonid Mikhelson: Surviving Russia's Turmoil"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2015/05/06/novateks-leonid-viktorovich-mikhelson-surviving-russias-turmoil/#3dadaf8d63b2). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170730032729/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2015/05/06/novateks-leonid-viktorovich-mikhelson-surviving-russias-turmoil/#3dadaf8d63b2) from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Yachtfan, Peter. ["\[Leonid Mikhelson\]: Inside his Crazy US$ 150,000,000 Yacht PACIFIC"](http://www.superyachtfan.com/superyacht/superyacht_pacific.html). *www.superyachtfan.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180701164904/https://www.superyachtfan.com/superyacht/superyacht_pacific.html) from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Oligarchen-Jachten live verfolgen: Einige Schiffe beschlagnahmt, andere sind auf der Flucht, ein paar hängen fest – zwei in Hamburg"](https://www.stern.de/digital/online/beschlagnahmung--flucht-und-wartung--hier-sind-die-oligarchen-jachten_31694042-31665198.html). *stern.de* (in German). 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2024-11-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Chan, Wilfred (2022-03-04). ["Meet the oligarchs: the Russian billionaires whose jets, yachts and mansions are now in the crosshairs"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/meet-the-oligarchs-sanctions-russian-billionaires). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 2025-01-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Галерея Виктория | VK"](https://vk.com/vicgallery). *vk.com*. Retrieved 27 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Laying the foundations"](https://www.ft.com/content/cae2ece2-be3f-11e2-9b27-00144feab7de?mhq5j=e1). *Financial Times*. 24 May 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180629211547/https://www.ft.com/content/cae2ece2-be3f-11e2-9b27-00144feab7de?mhq5j=e1) from the original on 29 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Moscow's V-A-C Foundation's Local and Global Reach - artnet News"](https://news.artnet.com/art-world/v-a-c-foundation-leonid-mikhelson-ne-site-540011). *artnet News*. 5 July 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160706154123/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/v-a-c-foundation-leonid-mikhelson-ne-site-540011) from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Russian billionaire's V-A-C Foundation opens space in Venice"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170510163258/http://theartnewspaper.com/news/museums/russian-billionaire-s-v-a-c-foundation-opens-space-in-venice/). *theartnewspaper.com*. Archived from [the original](http://theartnewspaper.com/news/museums/russian-billionaire-s-v-a-c-foundation-opens-space-in-venice/) on 10 May 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Gennady Timchenko"](https://www.forbes.com/profile/gennady-timchenko/). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170906140329/https://www.forbes.com/profile/gennady-timchenko/) from the original on 6 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["The World's Billionaires"](https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141129074957/http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/) from the original on 29 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Leonid Mikhelson"](http://richestrussian.com/1-100/leonid-mikhelson/). *Richest Russian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150203200949/http://richestrussian.com/1-100/leonid-mikhelson/) from the original on 3 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Shiryaevskaya, Anna (21 August 2012). ["Billionaire Mikhelson Becomes Russia's Second-Richest Man"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-21/billionaire-mikhelson-becomes-russia-s-second-richest-man.html). *Bloomberg Business*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130521213418/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-21/billionaire-mikhelson-becomes-russia-s-second-richest-man.html) from the original on 21 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Novatek to Sponsor Russian Football Union"](http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/novatek-to-sponsor-russian-football-union/488777.html). *themoscowtimes.com*. The Moscow Times. 31 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Kozlov, Vladimir (4 November 2013). ["Natural Gas Company Novatek Takes Over Sponsorship Of Russian Football Union"](http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2013/11/04/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Novatek.aspx). *Sports Business*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150203193344/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2013/11/04/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Novatek.aspx) from the original on 3 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-forbes.com_23-0)** ["Forbes profile: Leonid Mikhelson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110313031908/http://www.forbes.com/profile/leonid-mikhelson). *Forbes*. Archived from [the original](https://www.forbes.com/profile/leonid-mikhelson/) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Bloomberg Billionaires Index"](https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/leonid-v-mikhelson/). *Bloomberg.com*. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-07.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_25-1) Needham, Alex (13 March 2017). ["Prawn sex … and other future sounds of Russia"](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/mar/13/future-sounds-of-russia-geometry-of-now-festival-ges2-moscow-leonid-mikhelson). *the Guardian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180701164912/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/mar/13/future-sounds-of-russia-geometry-of-now-festival-ges2-moscow-leonid-mikhelson) from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["On the hunt for oligarchs in the 'wild west' of corporate intelligence"](https://www.ft.com/content/c36f76da-b75f-43d7-b807-43812ac60ac8). *Financial Times*. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["MIKHELSON Leonid Viktorovich"](https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/Q1819424/). *opensanctions.org*. 11 August 1955. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 241 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 Regarding Senior Foreign Political Figures and Oligarchs in the Russian Federation and Russian Parastatal Entities"](https://assets.bwbx.io/documents/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/rJRW6xrdtLJE/v0) (PDF). 29 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK"](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1150217/Russia.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 16 April 2023.

## External links

- [Stocks - Bloomberg](https://web.archive.org/web/20121001103028/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=12071910&ticker=NOTK:RM) (in English)

- [Leonid Viktorowitsch Mikhelson](https://web.archive.org/web/20100422234938/http://www.bfm.ru/yellowpages/celebrities/94/) (in Russian)

- [The world's 50 Richest Jews: 31-40](https://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/The-worlds-50-Richest-Jews-31-40) By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, 09/07/2010

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Leonid Mikhelson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Mikhelson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Mikhelson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.