Billionaire Profile
Sergei Katsiev
Global Rank
#2217

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Sergei Katsiev

CEO, Megapolis
RU
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.7B
As of December 2025
Age
67
Source
Retail, wholesale
Industry
fashion-retail
Citizenship
RU

Biography

Sergei Katsiev, born in 1957/1958, is a Russian businessman with a net worth of $1.7 billion, primarily from the retail and wholesale sectors. He holds the 2217th position globally among billionaires. Katsiev's career includes a Master's degree from the Moscow Institute of International Relations and a role in a government trade mission to the Netherlands. He is known for founding Megapolis in 1998, which later became the largest tobacco retailer in Russia after merging with Mercury Tobacco Corporation. Katsiev's achievements stem from the successful establishment and growth of Megapolis. He resides in Moscow and is married with two children.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Sergei Katsiev was born in Moscow, Russia, around 1957/1958. He obtained a Master's degree from the Moscow Institute of International Relations. After graduating, Katsiev embarked on a career that would see him become a prominent figure in the Russian business world.

Rise to Success

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Katsiev worked in a government trade mission to the Netherlands. Upon his return to Russia, he headed Mercury Tobacco Corporation. In 1998, Katsiev founded Megapolis, which merged with Mercury Tobacco Corporation in 2006. This merger created the largest tobacco retailer in Russia.

Key Business Strategies

Katsiev's key business strategy involved identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in the tobacco industry. By founding Megapolis and later merging it with Mercury Tobacco Corporation, he created a dominant player in the Russian market. In 2013, Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco International acquired a 40% stake in Megapolis for $1.5 billion, reflecting the company's significant market position. Katsiev is also now the owner of Nizhny Karmadon, a mineral water producer sourced from the Caucasus.

Philanthropy

Details about his philanthropic activities are not publicly known.

Career Milestones

1991-1993

Government Trade Mission

Worked in the government trade mission to the Netherlands.

1998

Founded Megapolis

Founded his own company, Megapolis.

2006

Megapolis Merger

Merged Megapolis with Mercury Tobacco Corporation, becoming the largest tobacco retailer in Russia.