Roman Abramovich life story is one of an extraordinary rise from tragic beginnings. Born in 1966 in Saratov, Russia, he was orphaned by the age of three after his mother died from blood poisoning and his father was killed in a construction accident . He was subsequently raised by relatives in the Komi Republic, in the far north of Russia.
After leaving school, he worked as a mechanic and served in the Soviet Army before moving to Moscow in the late 1980s. He began his business career as a small trader, selling rubber ducks, dolls, and perfumes on the city’s streets and markets. His entrepreneurial spirit flourished during the “perestroika” economic reforms of the Soviet Union.
When Roman Abramovich bought the state-owned oil business Sibneft in 1995 for a little portion of its worth and sold it to Gazprom for $13 billion in 2005, it was his big break. This is the foundation of his fortune, which also includes stakes in the steel giant Evraz and nickel producer Norilsk Nickel. He was a key figure in the circle of “oligarchs” who amassed enormous wealth in the chaotic years following the fall of the Soviet Union.
In 2003, Roman Abramovich purchased Chelsea Football Club for £140 million, a move that transformed the club into a global powerhouse, winning multiple Premier League titles and Champions League trophies. He was forced to sell the club in May 2022 for nearly $5 billion, but he did not receive the proceeds due to sanctions. He also served as the governor of the remote Chukotka region from 2000 to 2008, reportedly spending over $1 billion of his own money to improve the area.
Roman Abramovich has been married three times and has seven children. He holds citizenships of Russia, Israel, and Portugal. Since being sanctioned by the UK and EU following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he has lived primarily in Turkey, where his superyachts are moored.
Net Worth in 2026
According to business new trend, Roman Abramovich is ranked #371 in the world with a net worth of $9.3 billion as of June 2026. Other sources provide different estimates:
Bio & Early Life
Furthermore, On October 24, 1966, Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich was born in Saratov, Russia. He was orphaned by age 2—his mother died of blood poisoning, and his father was killed in a construction accident. He was raised by relatives in the Komi Republic and spent much of his youth there.
His lifestyle includes:
- Luxury Yachts: Two of the world’s largest and most expensive superyachts—the Eclipse (533ft, equipped with missile defense systems) and the Solaris, both currently moored in Turkish waters
- Real Estate: A 15-bedroom mansion in London’s Kensington (now frozen) and a waterfront villa in the Vanikoy district of Istanbul
- Lavish Dining: Reportedly frequents exclusive restaurants in Istanbul, with a preference for lamb and kebabs
His freedom to travel is severely restricted by sanctions, confining him primarily to Turkey, though he also maintains connections in Israel and Russia and reportedly owns property in Dubai.
Roman Abramovich Family
Abramovich is a father of seven children from three marriages:
- First Wife: Olga (married 1987, divorced 1990)
- Second Wife: Irina (divorced)
- Third Wife: Dasha Zhukova (divorced 2017)
His daughter Sofia publicly distanced herself from Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2022. His family is of Jewish origin, with roots in Belarus and Ukraine.
Career Highlights of Roman Abramovich
- Chelsea FC Owner (2003-2022): Purchased the club for £140 million and transformed it into a European powerhouse, winning five Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies. He was forced to sell the club in May 2022 for nearly $5 billion.
- Governor of Chukotka (2000-2008): Served as governor of Russia’s remote Far East region, reportedly spending over $1 billion on its development.
- Political Mediator: Has reportedly acted as a go-between in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
- Citizenships: Became an Israeli citizen in 2018 and a Portuguese citizen in 2021.
Final Words
It is worth noting that Abramovich has been described as a “key enabler” of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has attempted to disassociate himself from the crisis by promising that the revenues from the Chelsea sale would go to Ukrainian war victims, even if his precise involvement in the 2022 invasion is still up for discussion.