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Leonid Mikhelson & family
Rank #88
RUSSIA•Energy•Gas, chemicals

Leonid Mikhelson & family

Net Worth
$28.301B
0% (24h)
Leonid Mikhelson, a Russian-Israeli billionaire, is the Chairman and major shareholder of Novatek, Russia's largest independent natural gas producer. Born in 1955, Mikhelson earned an engineering degree and began his career in the construction of gas pipelines. His career led him to lead Novatek, a company he transformed into a global leader in the energy sector. Mikhelson's net worth is estimated at $28.3 billion, and his source of wealth is natural gas and chemicals. He is married and has two children. Beyond his business ventures, Mikhelson is known for his strong interest in contemporary art and has established the V-A-C Foundation to promote Russian art.

How to read Leonid Mikhelson & family's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Leonid Mikhelson & family, we anchor the narrative to Gas and Gas, chemicals, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $28.301B alongside global rank #88, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (RUSSIA) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Leonid Viktorovich Mikhelson was born on August 11, 1955, in Kaspiysk, Russian SFSR, into an Ashkenazi Jewish family. He graduated from the Samara Institute of Civil Engineering in 1977 with a degree in Industrial Civil Engineering.

Rise to Success

Mikhelson began his career as a foreman in a construction and assembling company, working on the Urengoi-Chelyabinsk gas pipeline. His major breakthrough came in the early 1990s when he took control of a pipeline construction company during the post-Soviet privatization wave. He restructured the business into Novatek, which became Russia's largest privately-owned natural gas producer.

Key Business Strategies

Mikhelson's success is attributed to his ability to capitalize on large-scale energy projects and his long-term vision for natural gas exports, particularly to Asian markets. Through strategic investments and partnerships, Mikhelson built an empire in the energy sector. He has partnered with Gennady Timchenko on business and investment projects. He also holds a significant stake in Sibur, a leading petrochemical company in Russia.

Philanthropy

Mikhelson has a strong interest in art and has established the V-A-C Foundation to promote contemporary Russian art. The foundation has international ties with renowned art institutions and supports various cultural initiatives.

Career Timeline

2011

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIBUR.

2003

Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Management Board

Served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Board of NOVATEK.

1994

General Director of Novafininvest

Became the General Director of Novafininvest, later known as Novatek.

1991

Managing Director

Became Managing Director of NOVA (formerly Kuibishevtruboprovodstroy) after privatization.

1977

Graduated

Graduated from the Samara Institute of Civil Engineering with a degree in Industrial Civil Engineering.

Philanthropic Impact

Arts and CultureUndisclosed

V-A-C Foundation

Established the V-A-C Foundation to promote contemporary Russian art.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Novatek25.00%—
Sibur57.50%—

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Leonid Viktorovich Mikhelson was born on August 11, 1955, in Kaspiysk, Russian SFSR, into an Ashkenazi Jewish family. He graduated from the Samara Institute of Civil Engineering in 1977 with a degree in Industrial Civil Engineering.

Rise to Success

Mikhelson began his career as a foreman in a construction and assembling company, working on the Urengoi-Chelyabinsk gas pipeline. His major breakthrough came in the early 1990s when he took control of a pipeline construction company during the post-Soviet privatization wave. He restructured the business into Novatek, which became Russia's largest privately-owned natural gas producer.

Key Business Strategies

Mikhelson's success is attributed to his ability to capitalize on large-scale energy projects and his long-term vision for natural gas exports, particularly to Asian markets. Through strategic investments and partnerships, Mikhelson built an empire in the energy sector. He has partnered with Gennady Timchenko on business and investment projects. He also holds a significant stake in Sibur, a leading petrochemical company in Russia.

Philanthropy

Mikhelson has a strong interest in art and has established the V-A-C Foundation to promote contemporary Russian art. The foundation has international ties with renowned art institutions and supports various cultural initiatives.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Leonid Mikhelson & family are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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