Early Life
Yelena Nikolayevna Baturina was born on March 8, 1963, in Moscow, Russia. After high school, she began her career at the Frazer plant, and later worked in the Moscow Institute of Management. She holds a degree from the State University of Management. Baturina met her husband, Yury Luzhkov, in 1987, and they married in 1991.
Rise to Success
Baturina's entrepreneurial journey began in 1991 when she founded Inteco, an investment and construction company. Initially a plastics business, Inteco expanded into construction and became a major player in Moscow's market. The company secured significant contracts, including a project for Luzhniki Stadium in 1998. Baturina was the richest woman in Russia until 2020, when Tatyana Bakalchuk overtook her.
Key Business Strategies
Baturina's business acumen led Inteco to become one of Moscow's largest construction firms, controlling up to 20% of the city's construction market. She sold Inteco in 2011. She has also invested in hotels and real estate across Europe, including the Morrison Hotel in Dublin. Her investment group has interests in renewable energy and construction projects.
Philanthropy
Baturina is dedicated to philanthropy, primarily through the BE OPEN Foundation, established in 2012. The foundation focuses on sustainability, design-thinking, and fostering creativity among young people. She also served as a trustee for the Mayor's Fund for London.