Tough luck, kids: Oligarch’s $15billion going to charity
Mikhail Fridman, Russia's second richest man, says his four children won't get left his astronomical wealth
The four children of a Russian-Jewish oligarch worth more than $14.6 billion had bad news last week: they’re not getting a penny.
Mikhail Fridman’s four kids, the youngest of which is ten years old, will have to earn their own way, after he announced on Friday that he would be giving his entire fortune to good causes.
“I am going to transfer all my money to charity,” said the 52-year old Ukrainian-born co-owner of Alfa Group, Russia’s largest industrial and financial investment group. “I don’t plan to transfer any money to my children.”
According to Russia Today, Fridman said he wanted his children to create something of their own, and didn’t want his eldest daughter Laura, 22, to be the subject of insincere affection.
He said his business partners – presumably long-time associates Len Blavatnik and Viktor Vekselberg, both Jewish billionaires of Ukrainian origin – felt the same way about their own children.
Russia’s second richest man, Fridman is the driving force behind the Genesis Philanthropy Group, which funds the $1 million Genesis Prize, recognising service to the Jewish people and Israel.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
