Early Life and Education
Vladimir Olegovich Potanin was born on January 3, 1961, in Moscow, Russia. He grew up in a family with connections to the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Trade. He attended Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), graduating in 1983 with a degree in international economics.
Rise to Success
Potanin's career began in the Ministry of Foreign Trade. In 1991, he founded Interros, a private investment company. A key moment in his rise was his participation in the loans-for-shares program in the mid-1990s, through which he acquired a significant stake in Norilsk Nickel. He also served as First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation from 1996 to 1997. Forbes twice ranked him as the richest person in Russia — in 2015 and 2020.
Key Business Strategies
Potanin has been involved in various strategic investments, holding stakes in Norilsk Nickel, Petrovax Pharm, and Rosa Khutor ski resort. He has also been involved in buying up assets depreciated by the Ukraine invasion. His focus on metals-mining and strategic acquisitions has been central to his wealth accumulation. In the spring of 2022, he bought Rosbank from Societe Generale, and 35% of Tinkoff Bank.
Philanthropy
Potanin established the Potanin Foundation in 1999 to support projects in education, culture, and philanthropy. He is a signatory to The Giving Pledge, committing to donate a major portion of his wealth to charitable causes. He has donated to the Hermitage Museum and the Guggenheim Foundation.
