Yuri Kovalchuk & family

Early Life

Yuri Valentinovich Kovalchuk was born on July 25, 1951, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. He was the second child in a family of history teachers. His father, Valentin Mikhailovich Kovalchuk, was Russian, and his mother, Miriam Abramovna Kovalchuk (née Viro), was Jewish.

Rise to Success

Kovalchuk's career began in academia. He graduated from the Physics Department of Leningrad State University in 1974. He later became the first deputy director of the Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute. He is known for his close friendship with Vladimir Putin, with whom he shares a view to restore Russian greatness.

Key Business Strategies

Kovalchuk's business acumen is primarily focused on banking, insurance, and media. He is the largest shareholder of Rossiya Bank, which plays a significant role in the Russian financial landscape. Kovalchuk also controls the National Media Group, which holds major stakes in several influential Russian media outlets, solidifying his influence in the media sector. He acquired a 25% stake in Channel One in 2011.

Philanthropy

In 2012, Kovalchuk allocated funds to help the oldest Russian bookstore in Paris, Librairie Du Globe, to prevent its bankruptcy. He also established the Association “Support for the Regional Economic Environment” in St. Petersburg in July 2020.