The list of the world's wealthiest individuals has been updated. Forbes has presented its fortieth anniversary billionaires ranking to the public. This year, the number of the richest people on the planet increased significantly compared to last year, reaching 3,428. Zamin.uz discusses the historical records in this ranking and the updated wealth of Russian billionaires.
Mordashov — The first "30-billionaire" in Russian history
The most sensational event of this year's ranking involved Alexey Mordashov, a tycoon in the metallurgy and gold mining industries. His capital reached $37 billion, setting a record as the first entrepreneur in the history of Russian business to surpass the $30 billion threshold.
The main driver of this massive growth was Nord Gold, a company owned by the Mordashov family. As a result of an 80 percent increase in gold prices on the world market, the value of the company doubled compared to Mordashov's other major asset—shares in Severstal.
The number of Russian billionaires is increasing
Globally, the total wealth of billionaires is estimated at $20.1 trillion. The year was also successful for Russia's wealthy:
Number: The count increased from 146 last year to 155.
Total Capital: The combined wealth of Russian participants rose from $625.5 billion to $696.5 billion.
Reason: The strengthening of the ruble and substantial dividends paid by major companies further bolstered the fortunes of 85 billionaires.
Who left the list and who returned?
The ranking was notable not only for growth but also for losses. While three former billionaires regained their status among 14 new names, some dropped out for various reasons:
Dmitry Kamenshchik: Lost his wealth following the seizure of Domodedovo Airport.
Konstantin Strukov: Lost his gold mining company.
Arkady Volozh: Removed from the list of Russian billionaires after renouncing his Russian citizenship.
Denis Shtengelov: Lost his KDV holding (additionally, his association was included in the list of organizations linked to terrorism and extremism).
Other interesting figures
The rise in gold prices benefited not only Mordashov but also Suleiman Kerimov. Together with his family, he entered the top five with $25.7 billion. Additionally, Ruslan Rakhimkulov ($1.9 billion) secured a notable position through his investments in Hungary (OTP Bank and MOL).
Dear readers, do you think such rapid growth in wealth depends only on gold prices, or are there other strategic achievements involved? What do you think about the international influence of Russia's wealthy?
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