Not every entrepreneur is born with a silver spoon or has a family legacy tailor made for him to step in. There are those who come up with their grit and determination and Ukrane’s wealthiest business tycoon Rinat Akhmetov belongs to the second type.
Akhmetov’s meteoric rise to the 39th spot in the coveted Forbes list has fueled rumours and theories hinting at a not so clean background. But that has not deterred Akhmetov from surging ahead both in career and life.
Under his initiative, System Capital Management has emerged as the top finance and industrial entity in Ukraine. He has business interests in different fields ranging from telecommunications to banking. He even owns the Ukranian football club Shakhtar Donetsk FC.
Not unlike some other talented entrepreneurs, his journey from humble begginnings to becoming an influential business tycoon in Ukraine post the fall of communism remains somewhat hazy. While Akhmetov had denied allegations of his direct involvement with organized crime syndicates in politically turbulent times, several media agencies have speculated on his liaisons with the underworld.
The allegations hinting at his shoddy past and political influence notwithstanding, Rinat Akhmetov is well known for his large scale philanthropic and humanitarian activities. In 2005, he set up Foundation for Development of Ukraine with an aim to eradicate social evils in the country.
He also set up the Foundation for Effective Governance in 2007 to spearhead financial development in his country. Rinat Akhmetov’s is a true blue rags to riches story.
Rinat Akhmetov Family Profile
Let us go through the family profile of Rinat Akhmetov
Akhmetov Parents – Leonid Akhmetov and Nyakiya Akmetova
Born into coal mining family, Rinat Akhmetov is a Tatar by ethnicity. While his father Leonid Akhmetov was a coal-miner, his mother Nyakiya Akhmetova worked as shop assistant. It was a humble existence for Akhmetov during his growing years.
Akhmetov Sibling – Igor Akhmetov
Rinat Akhmetov has an elder brother, Igor. Not much is known about him.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Spouse – Liliya Smirnova
Rinat Akhmetov married Liliya Smirnova. The couple have two children who are the heirs to the vast empire set up by their father.
Children of Liliya Smirnova and Rinat Akhmetov
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Damir Akhmetov
Born – 1988
The first born son of Akhmetov family, Damir works as a supervisory board member in the Ukrainian energy company DTEK owned by his father. He did his masters from Sir John Cass Business School in London.
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Almir Akhmetov
Born- 1997
He is yet to assume a role in his father’s massive and growing business empire.
Akhmetov Family Net Worth
The Akhmetov family wealth has grown by leaps and bounds since Rinat Akhmetov came of age. From a risky beginning in coal and coke sector, Akhmetov spiraled to success by diversiyfying into various sectors like telecommunications, media and banking. The net worth of Akhmetov family stands at US$11.9 billion as on October 2014.