Early Life
Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov was born on September 9, 1953, in Chust, Uzbekistan. He spent his childhood in Tashkent, where his father was a state prosecutor. He was educated at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), graduating with a degree in international law in 1976. Usmanov's early life involved a brief stint in the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Soviet Union before he transitioned into private business.
Rise to Success
Usmanov's business career began with early ventures in the 1980s producing plastic bags. However, he made his substantial wealth after the collapse of the Soviet Union through strategic investments in metal and mining operations and early investments in tech companies. He co-founded Metalloinvest in 1999 and has been involved in numerous successful ventures including MegaFon. Usmanov also invested in various internet ventures such as Facebook, Twitter, VK, and Alibaba Group.
Key Business Strategies
Usmanov's key business strategies have involved strategic investments and acquisitions across multiple industries, including metals, mining, telecommunications, and technology. A critical move was the co-founding and managing of Metalloinvest, a Russian industrial conglomerate. He also expanded his portfolio globally by acquiring stakes in technology companies like Xiaomi. Through strategic diversification, he has maintained a steady flow of income.
Philanthropy
Usmanov is also deeply committed to philanthropy. He is the founder of the Arts, Science and Sports Charity Foundation. His charitable donations have totaled more than $3 billion on the development of sports, as well as supporting cultural, scientific, educational, and medical initiatives. In 2020, he was the highest-ranked donor from emerging Europe to fight against COVID-19.
