Personal billing for the largest online company in Russia

Despite the sanctions and nationalizations that followed a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, the number of Russian billionaires in the Forbes list of the richest people in the world has increased by 15. This ranks sixth in the number of new billionaires, immediately behind the US, Germany, China, Hong Kong and India. The total number of Russian billionaires increased to 146, which is a significant jump compared to the previous year, when there were 125.

Among the richest Russians still stand out Vagit alexperovfounder of oil giant Lukoil, with a net value of $ 28.7 billion Alexei Perhašovsteel Magnat from the North, with $ 28.6 billion, and Leonid Mihelsonpresident Gas Company Novate, with $ 28.4 billion.

Among the new faces on the list are Vikram Puniafounder of Pharmasyntez pharmaceutical company, with a net worth of $ 2.1 billion; Alexander Isajev from the Elgaugol coal company, with $ 1.3 billion; and Ljudmila Koganwhich inherited a stake in Uralsib after the death of her husband, also with $ 1.3 billion. Also among the new billionaires of the brother Alexander and Viktor Linnikfounder of the agricultural giant Miratorg, and Boris Naraljevthe founder of the 1C program company, each with a net value of $ 1.3 billion.

In addition to the new billionaires, there is also a noticeable increase in the property of some existing ones. Ivan Tavrinwho entered the list as the richest Russian newcomer with $ 2.4 billion in 2023, increased his wealth to $ 4.4 billion in 2024. Tatjana Kimthe founder and executive director of the largest Russian e-trade platform Wildberries, remains the richest woman in Russia with $ 4.6 billion. For the fifth consecutive year, Kim has been at the top of the list of the richest Russian women. Along with Deer Baturino They are the only two billionaires in the country.

Tatjana Kim, self -made a billionaire

Tatjana Kim, born in 1975 in the family of Korean-Russian origin, began her journey as an English teacher, but the economic crisis led her to different decisions in the late 1990s. In 2004, after the birth of her first child, she began to sell clothes from Western catalogs from her home apartment – thereby laid the foundation for a company that today controls one third of the entire online sales in Russia.

Wildberries has grown from a garage project to the largest Russian online store in less than two decades. Kim, who started the company without capital and experience, gained initial funds from her husband, entrepreneur, according to some sources Vladislav Bakalčukwho has previously successfully sold his IT business. In the first years, they also sold products through physical trade, but eventually transformed Wildberries into a modern e-commerce platform, which among the first to offer options such as free sheds, uniform delivery and a takeover network.

The pandemic brought the company to explosive growth, and political support has strategic advantages – from state subsidies to legislation that left foreign competitors ahead of the door.

In the law with cod, however, it has been creaking for a long time because of business disagreements. In June last year, when the news of the planned merger of Wildberries with the largest Russian outdoor advertising company Russ Group was strongly opposed by Bakalčuk, which further tightened their relationship.

Separation and shooting

Kim filed for divorce in July last year, and September of the same year happened at Wildberries headquarters. Bakalčuk came there to negotiations with his security guard, but confronted the security guards hired by Kim. Both security guards died in the shooting. Kim accused Bakalčuk and two former executive director that they planned to take an armed acquisition of the company.

The divorce of Tatjana Kim and Vladislav Bakalčuka greatly influenced the dispute over the merger of Wildberries and Russ Group. This merger led to the establishment of a new RVB company, retaining Wildberries a 65 % stake, while the remaining 35 % belonged to Russ Group.

He also became involved in dispute Ramzan Kadirova Chechen leader who helped Bakalčuku fight against « hostile takeover. » Kadirov accused three Russian MPs from neighboring Caucasian republics of orchestrating RVB and planning his assassination, and declaring « blood revenge ». The dispute further complicated the broader conflict between the smoking and the influential billionaire and the senator Suleiman Kerimovwhich is associated with owners of Russ Group.

The merger of Wildberries and Russ Group received the president’s support Vladimir Putinwho believes that it has the potential to strengthen the Russian economy. The new RVB company is expected to become a financial, media and trade force capable of competing to Western technology giants. Nevertheless, the future of the merger remains uncertain due to legal and personal disputes between the parties involved.

Even after the official divorce, the property dispute continues. Bakalčuk, which owns one percent of Wildberries, requires half of the company from Kim’s sharing of joint property, claiming that it was established with their total money. The court hearing regarding the distribution of property is announced for 18. April.

After 22 years of marriage, Kim and Bakalčuk have a total of seven children. Kimov’s custody will have custody while Bakalčuk will retain the right to visit and have to pay maintenance.