Oleg Deripaska

Oleg Deripaska, born on January 2, 1968, is a prominent Russian entrepreneur and investor, known for his significant contributions to the aluminium industry. He began his career as a metals trader following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leveraging his trading profits to acquire stakes in the Sayanogorsk aluminium smelter. This venture laid the groundwork for what would evolve into Rusal, the world's largest aluminium company.

As the founder of Basic Element, one of Russia's largest industrial groups, and Volnoe Delo, the country's largest charitable foundation, Deripaska has made a substantial impact on both the business and philanthropic landscapes. He served as president of En+ Group and led United Company Rusal until his resignation in 2018. His leadership during the tumultuous 'aluminium wars' of the 1990s positioned him as a key player in the acquisition of state-owned assets.

In 2000, Deripaska established Rusal through a partnership with Sibirsky Aluminium and Roman Abramovich's Millhouse Capital. The company later merged with SUAL Group and Glencore International AG in 2007, with Deripaska at the helm as chairman. Although he was once the richest man in Russia, the financial crisis of 2008 significantly diminished his wealth, which was estimated at four billion five hundred million dollars as of July 2025.

In recent years, Deripaska has faced challenges, including U.S. sanctions imposed in 2022 due to the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, he was among the few Russian businessmen to publicly criticize the invasion, describing it as 'madness' and calling for an immediate cessation. His outspoken views have drawn ire from pro-Putin factions, leading to the seizure of a major asset valued at one billion dollars.