In the ever-evolving world of wealth and prosperity, Russia is no exception. A magazine recently unveiled its latest rankings of the twenty wealthiest women in Russia, offering insights into their financial standings and assets. While Tatyana Bakalchuk, the founder of Wildberries, continues to reign supreme at the top, there has been a notable shift in the rankings.
Among the intriguing newcomers is Russia’s second-richest woman, Tatyana Litvinenko, whose meteoric rise to the second position has captured the attention of many. This article delves into the intriguing story of Tatyana Litvinenko, her remarkable wealth, and the broader landscape of Russia’s wealthiest women.
Russia’s Second Richest Woman Tatyana Litvinenko: An Enigmatic Figure
Tatyana Litvinenko, a name that may not have been widely recognized until recently, has emerged as a prominent figure among Russia’s wealthiest women. To shed light on her background and ascent to wealth, it’s essential to start with her family ties.
Family Ties
Tatyana Litvinenko is married to Vladimir Litvinenko, who holds the position of rector at St. Petersburg Mining University. In 2022, Vladimir Litvinenko faced Western sanctions, leading to a strategic move that would significantly impact Tatyana’s financial standing. He transferred a substantial 20.6% stake in Phosagro, Europe’s largest producer of phosphorus-containing fertilisers, to his wife.
Phosagro: A Lucrative Enterprise
Phosagro is a formidable player in the market, boasting an extensive product portfolio that includes over 50 different items, ranging from mineral fertilisers to ammonia and sodium tripolyphosphate. The company’s reach extends not only within Russia but also internationally, encompassing the CIS countries, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. In a noteworthy financial feat, Phosagro reported a remarkable 42% increase in net profit, reaching a staggering 184.7 billion rubles by the end of the previous year.
Financial analysts have recognized Phosagro shares as an attractive investment. Over a span of just over a year, from June 2022 to July 2023, the company distributed dividends four times, amounting to a total of over 236 billion rubles. Tatyana Litvinenko’s share of this dividend windfall was approximately 49 billion rubles, a testament to the strategic move that solidified her position among Russia’s wealthiest women.
Mystery Surrounding Tatyana Litvinenko
While Tatyana Litvinenko’s financial success is evident, details about her life remain shrouded in mystery. Born in 1958, she is currently 65 years old. One of her reported associations was with the “ServiceCentrer on Nalychnaya Street” enterprise in the mid-2010s. This enterprise held ownership of the private author’s school “Mountain” and invested in the construction of the St. Petersburg residential complex “Vasilievsky Quarter.” By the end of 2022, this enterprise had generated an impressive income of half a billion rubles. However, the current ownership status of this business and Tatyana Litvinenko’s level of involvement remain undisclosed.
Real Estate Holdings
Reports suggest that Tatyana Litvinenko is registered in a 150-square-meter apartment in a premium clubhouse on Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. This property, valued at approximately 100 million rubles, is described by real estate agents as highly appealing and comfortable. The residential complex boasts a landscaped park with sculptures, playgrounds, and leisure areas, providing a serene environment for its residents. The apartment itself features panoramic windows with triple glazing to minimize city noise and is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as ventilation, central air conditioning, a dedicated boiler room, and a multi-stage water filtration system. The location is also surrounded by natural attractions, including Primorsky Victory Park, the Fruit Garden, and Elaginsky Island.
Public records indicate that Tatyana and Vladimir Litvinenko spend the majority of their time outside the city, residing in the resort village of Solnechnoye on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Some sources even suggest that the couple may own an extensive estate in Solnechnoye, complete with a pond and a summer theatre. This sprawling property covers 1.3 hectares and includes a main house spanning 743 square meters, guest accommodations covering 108 square meters, servant quarters measuring 150 square meters, security facilities occupying 111 square meters, and a 128-square-meter garage. Given current market prices, such real estate could be valued at around one billion rubles.
The Broader Landscape: Russia’s Top Wealthiest Women
Tatyana Litvinenko’s remarkable rise to the second position among Russia’s wealthiest women reflects a broader trend in this elite group. Many of these women are connected to prominent businessmen, either as former or current spouses or as daughters inheriting family assets. This trend has gained momentum in recent years, driven in part by major entrepreneurs facing Western sanctions who are transferring their assets to trusted family members.
1. Tatyana Bakalchuk
Tatyana Bakalchuk, the founder of Wildberries, continues to dominate the rankings with an estimated net worth of $7 billion.
2. Tatyana Litvinenko
Tatyana Litvinenko, as discussed, occupies the second position with a wealth of $2.8 billion.
3. Varvara Skoch
Varvara Skoch, daughter of State Duma deputy Andrei Skoch, secures the third position with an estimated fortune of $2.5 billion. She holds a 30% stake in the holding company USM, which has interests in companies like Metalloinvest and Megafon.
4. Marina Mordashova
Marina Mordashova noted as a private investor, ranks fourth with a wealth of $1.85 billion. She inherited most of the shares of her billionaire husband Alexei Mordashov’s gold mining firm Nordgold.
5. Lydia Mikhailova
Lydia Mikhailova and her family occupy the fifth position with a fortune amounting to $1.55 billion. She is the former spouse of Igor Babaev, the founder of the Cherkizovo group, which encompasses poultry and pig-breeding complexes as well as vast agricultural land.
6. Elena Baturina
Elena Baturina, widow of former Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov, maintains the sixth position with a fortune of $1.3 billion, marking a notable decline from her previous top-ranking position.
7. Victoria Mikhelson
Victoria Mikhelson ranks seventh with a wealth of $1.2 billion. Her father, Leonid Mikhelson, founded Novatek, and she has taken over the Optima company, which owns shares in Novatek and GES-2 LLC, associated with the GES-2 House of Culture in the capital.
8. Evgenia Guryeva
Eighth place goes to Evgenia Guryeva, the wife of Phosagro group founder Andrei Guryev, with substantial wealth.
Newcomers to the Ranking
Notably, the ranking includes newcomers Maria and Tatyana Fileva, who hold the penultimate and last positions, respectively. Each of them holds a 25% stake in the S7 Group of Companies holding company, with the remaining 50% owned by their father, Vladislav Filev. Tatyana Fileva served as the holding’s general director from October 2021 to 2022 before stepping down to pursue new projects and alleviate the operational management burden.
Conclusion
The evolving landscape of wealth in Russia offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and fortunes of its wealthiest women. Tatyana Litvinenko’s rapid ascent to the second position highlights the dynamic nature of this elite group, where family ties and strategic moves play pivotal roles. As Russia navigates economic challenges and shifting global dynamics, the fortunes of these women continue to be a subject of interest and intrigue, showcasing their resilience and adaptability in the face of change.
