The Lavish Life Of Roman Abramovich: From Smuggler To Billionaire Oligarch

It would be nice to be a billionaire. You could buy, fund, and pretty much do anything you wanted to without having to consider the cost. You could buy a professional sports team, and the cost of a super-yacht would be a drop in the proverbial bucket. Not to mention, having multiple homes in your favorite cities across the globe and owning at least one private plane would be the norm. This is the life of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who has amassed an incredible collection of cars, planes, yachts, art, and homes. He is also the owner of the English Premier League's Chelsea FC, often seen cheering for his team from the stands. His lavish lifestyle and the "toys" he has collected have earned him the nickname "The Roman Empire," as described by the Wall Street Journal. How does Roman afford all these luxuries? Well, it helps that he has a staggering net worth of $15 billion by recent estimates.

The majority of Abramovich's wealth stems from the sale of Russian state-owned assets after the fall of the Soviet Union. Before the Soviet Union began to crumble, he used just $2,000 of his life savings to start smuggling black market goods into Russia. His operations quickly expanded, and he found himself dealing in everything from plastic toys to automobile parts. During the height of perestroika, he even sold imported rubber duckies from his apartment in Moscow!

In 1988, the political climate in Russia under Mikhail Gorbachev allowed Abramovich to legitimize his black market smuggling business. He took the profits from his previous ventures and founded a company that manufactured dolls, toys, and furniture. Over the early 1990s, Abramovich created and liquidated at least 20 companies across various industries, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and versatility, which ranged from pig farming to bodyguard recruitment.

In the mid-90s, Abramovich formed a crucial friendship with powerful businessman Boris Berezovsky, which would significantly impact his career. Berezovsky introduced him to President Boris Yeltsin's inner circle, and together they acquired a controlling interest in Sibneft, Russia's fifth-largest oil company. Each invested $100 million, which was remarkably low compared to the company's stock market value at that time. While some questionable tactics were likely involved, they rapidly increased Sibneft's oil production, leading to profits in the billions.

Abramovich later confessed in court that he had paid billions in bribes to government officials and secured protection from the Russian Mafia to facilitate the purchase of various assets. Over the years, he acquired 70% of Sibneft, 50% of Rusal, Russia's aluminum monopoly, and 36% of Aeroflot, the national airline, demonstrating a ruthless determination in his business endeavors. When Sibneft was bought out by a rival firm, Abramovich reportedly earned $10 billion cash for his stake. Today, much of his wealth remains in cash or extremely liquid assets.

Now, let's explore Abramovich's extensive real estate portfolio, which is so vast that detailing every property could fill a 5,000-word article!

• New York City: Abramovich owns four adjacent townhouses on Manhattan's Upper East Side, purchased for a combined $74 million. Plans are underway to renovate and combine these homes into a single residence dubbed an "urban castle," with expected renovation costs of $100 million.
• London: He owns two homes, including a $160 million mansion in Kensington and a $38.5 million, three-story waterfront penthouse in Chelsea.
• French Riviera: A property in Cote d'Azur, bought for just under $22 million, features 12 bedrooms and was formerly a favorite of the Royal Family.
• Colorado: In 2008, he purchased an $18 million, 200-acre ranch, along with a nearby ski slope for $5.6 million after an unsuccessful attempt to buy an entire ski town.
• St. Bart's: Abramovich boasts a lavish estate worth nearly $70 million on this Caribbean island.
• Israel: He owns two properties, including a $17 million hotel purchased from actress Gal Gadot and a $65 million estate, marking the largest residential real estate deal in Israel's history.

Being a billionaire also allows you to fulfill your dreams of owning a sports team, which Abramovich did with Chelsea FC. In 2003, he acquired the club from Ken Bates for $105 million and has since invested millions into the team, which is now valued at approximately $2 billion, making it the sixth-most valuable soccer team globally.

Why settle for one yacht when you can have a fleet? Abramovich owns the $400 million superyacht, Eclipse, which was the largest privately-owned yacht when built. It features two swimming pools, two helicopter landing pads, and its own submarine! He previously owned the Pelorus, sold for $300 million after his divorce settlement, and overall, he has owned six yachts, including Luna, which he sold for $360 million.

As a billionaire oligarch, Abramovich also indulges in private air travel. His largest plane, a Boeing 767-33A/ER named The Bandit, was purchased from Hawaiian Airlines and uniquely renovated to his specifications. This luxury aircraft includes a dining room accommodating 30 guests and lavish bathrooms, along with advanced missile avoidance systems similar to those on Air Force One.

Abramovich's car collection is estimated to be worth $11 million, featuring a rare Ferrari FX, capable of speeds up to 190 mph, as well as a limited-edition Pagani Zonda Roadster, a Bugatti Veyron, a Mercedes AMG GT3, and an Aston Martin Vulcan.

His passion for art is also evident in his extensive collection, including a Francis Bacon painting purchased for approximately $86.3 million and a Lucian Freud piece acquired for $33.6 million.