Forbes Reports Russia Adds 15 New Billionaires
The number of Russian billionaires has increased over the past year despite Western sanctions intended to undermine the country’s economy, as reported by the Forbes World’s Billionaires List. The annual ranking welcomed 15 new Russian individuals...
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The number of Russian billionaires has increased over the past year despite Western sanctions intended to undermine the country’s economy, as reported by the Forbes World’s Billionaires List. The annual ranking welcomed 15 new Russian individuals in 2025, bringing the total to a record 146.
These newly recognized billionaires hail from a variety of backgrounds, including self-made entrepreneurs and heirs. Their industries encompass coal, finance, IT, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, agriculture, food production, housing, trade, transport, and power.
Among the new entrants, Indian-born Vikram Punia, founder of the pharmaceutical company Pharmasyntez, topped the list with a fortune of $2.1 billion. Additional notable figures include Lyudmila Kogan, the widow of banker Vladimir Kogan and holder of a majority stake in Uralsib Bank; twin brothers Alexander and Viktor Linnik, founders of the meat producer Miratorg; and Boris Nuraliev, founder of the software firm 1C.
Globally, Russia placed fifth in the emergence of new billionaires. The United States led the way with 103 newcomers, featuring individuals like Marilyn Simons, the widow of hedge fund pioneer Jim Simons, and Lyndal Stephens Greth, daughter of oil magnate Autry Stephens.
Germany followed in second place with 37 new entrants, including 19-year-old Johannes von Baumbach, the youngest billionaire on the list. China and Hong Kong trailed with 32, while India secured fourth place with 17.
According to Forbes, nearly 70% of the world’s latest billionaires, or 196 individuals, are self-made. The technology and AI sectors produced the highest number of new billionaires, totaling 46, which includes Chinese investor Hao Tang and American startup founders Ben Lamm and Dario Amodei. The finance sector ranked second with 41 newcomers, while healthcare came in third with 40.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
These newly recognized billionaires hail from a variety of backgrounds, including self-made entrepreneurs and heirs. Their industries encompass coal, finance, IT, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, agriculture, food production, housing, trade, transport, and power.
Among the new entrants, Indian-born Vikram Punia, founder of the pharmaceutical company Pharmasyntez, topped the list with a fortune of $2.1 billion. Additional notable figures include Lyudmila Kogan, the widow of banker Vladimir Kogan and holder of a majority stake in Uralsib Bank; twin brothers Alexander and Viktor Linnik, founders of the meat producer Miratorg; and Boris Nuraliev, founder of the software firm 1C.
Globally, Russia placed fifth in the emergence of new billionaires. The United States led the way with 103 newcomers, featuring individuals like Marilyn Simons, the widow of hedge fund pioneer Jim Simons, and Lyndal Stephens Greth, daughter of oil magnate Autry Stephens.
Germany followed in second place with 37 new entrants, including 19-year-old Johannes von Baumbach, the youngest billionaire on the list. China and Hong Kong trailed with 32, while India secured fourth place with 17.
According to Forbes, nearly 70% of the world’s latest billionaires, or 196 individuals, are self-made. The technology and AI sectors produced the highest number of new billionaires, totaling 46, which includes Chinese investor Hao Tang and American startup founders Ben Lamm and Dario Amodei. The finance sector ranked second with 41 newcomers, while healthcare came in third with 40.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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