How a young Russian orphan went on to become one of the world's richest men.
He became an orphan aged three but went on to become one of the world's richest men. Now Roman Abramovich's links to Vladimir Putin have stripped him of his businesses and reputation.
"To tell the truth I cannot call my childhood bad," he once told the Guardian in a rare interview. "In your childhood you can't compare things: one eats carrots, one eats candy, both taste good. As a child you cannot tell the difference."He left school at 16, worked as a mechanic and served in the Red Army before selling plastic toys in Moscow.
"Every three days, someone was being murdered," Mr Abramovich said in 2011, adding that this threat to his safety had made him a reluctant participant. As Mr Putin established himself, he sought to assert his dominance over the oligarchs. Some went to prison, and others were exiled if they failed to show allegiance.Mr Abramovich suffered neither fate. In 2000, he was elected as governor of the deprived region of Chukotka, at the north-eastern tip of Russia. He gained popularity after investing his own money in social services but stepped down in 2008.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Roman Abramovich 'poisoned' at peace negotiations with Ukraine🗣️Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he received signals of support from Roman Abramovich
Read more »
Roman Abramovich in 'suspected poisoning' after Russia peace talksRUSSIAN Oligarch Roman Abramovich has reportedly suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning. The Chelsea owner fell ill along with Ukrainian peace negotiators, in an attack blamed on hardliners in Mo…
Read more »
Roman Abramovich 'suffered suspected POISONING earlier this month'The Chelsea FC owner was reportedly poisoned just weeks ago after a meeting in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv whilst he acted as a a 'peacemaker' in the Russian war in Ukraine, sources said.
Read more »
Abramovich suffered suspected poisoning at talksRussian billionaire Roman Abramovich suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning at talks in Kyiv earlier this month, his spokesperson says.
Read more »
Treasury Secretary Yellen Says Russian Oligarch Abramovich 'Could Face Sanctions' by U.S.Roman Abramovich, the highest profile oligarch in the West, has been sanctioned by the U.K., European Union and Canada. But questions have swirled around why the U.S. has been slow to act.
Read more »