Early Life
Viktor Felixovich Vekselberg was born on April 14, 1957, in Drohobych, Ukrainian SSR (some sources say Lviv). His father was Ukrainian Jewish, and his mother was Russian. Vekselberg's family suffered during the Holocaust, with many relatives perishing. He graduated from the Moscow State University of Railway Engineering in 1979.
Rise to Success
Vekselberg founded the company Komvek in 1988 after the Gorbachev administration relaxed restrictions on private business. In 1990, he co-founded Renova Group. He and his partner, Leonard Blavatnik, acquired interests in aluminum smelters in the mid-1990s. They co-founded the Siberian-Urals Aluminum Company (SUAL) in 1996. SUAL later merged with other companies to form UC Rusal, the world's largest aluminum company.
Key Business Strategies
Vekselberg has focused on metals, investments, and diversified industries. He was involved in the privatization of the aluminum industry and later the oil sector through his involvement with Tyumen Oil Company (TNK), eventually merging with BP to create TNK-BP. He has made strategic investments, including in Swiss companies like Sulzer. Vekselberg is known for his ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities in the Russian market.
Philanthropy
Vekselberg is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, particularly in Jewish philanthropy and Holocaust remembrance. He has supported the construction and renovation of synagogues and Jewish community centers. He is also known for his art and cultural preservation efforts, including his collection of Fabergé eggs.
