Net Worth
$29B
Global Rank
#45
Source
NOVATEK
Country
Russia
$How Leonid Mikhelson Built Their Fortune
Leonid Mikhelson is the chairman and co-owner of NOVATEK, Russia's largest independent natural gas producer and one of the world's leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies. An engineer by training, Mikhelson has spent four decades building NOVATEK into a world-class energy company that has pioneered the development of Arctic natural gas resources and established Russia as a major player in the global LNG market.
Mikhelson's greatest achievement is the development of the Yamal LNG project, one of the largest and most technically challenging industrial projects in history. Located above the Arctic Circle in Siberia, Yamal LNG required extraordinary engineering to produce and liquefy natural gas in extreme conditions, with winter temperatures reaching minus 50 degrees Celsius. The project was completed on time and within budget — a remarkable feat for a facility of its scale and complexity — and began producing LNG in 2017.
Beyond energy, Mikhelson is a dedicated patron of contemporary art and culture. His V-A-C Foundation supports contemporary art exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural exchanges, and he has backed the development of the GES-2 House of Culture in Moscow, a world-class contemporary art space. His combination of engineering excellence, business leadership, and cultural patronage makes him one of the most multifaceted business leaders in the world.
vs$29B in Perspective
To put Leonid Mikhelson's $29B fortune into context, here's what that wealth could buy:
Median U.S. household incomes
At $59,384/year
Median U.S. homes
At $420,000 each
Tesla Model 3s
At $38,990 each
Four-year college degrees
At $108,000 average
NFL franchises
At $4.7B average
Private islands
At $15,000,000 each
Key Wealth Milestones
1994
Acquired a controlling stake in what would become NOVATEK, beginning the process of consolidating Russian independent gas assets into a unified, world-class energy company.
2009
Committed to developing the Yamal LNG project, making the bold decision to invest billions in an Arctic gas liquefaction facility that many considered too risky and technically challenging.
2015
Established the V-A-C Foundation and invested in the GES-2 House of Culture, demonstrating a deep commitment to contemporary art and cultural development.
2017
Celebrated the completion and first shipment of Yamal LNG, marking a milestone in Arctic energy development and establishing NOVATEK as a major global LNG supplier.
Where Leonid Mikhelson Ranks
Top 73% of the world's wealthiest · 167 tracked
Nearest by Rank
Richest People in Russia
Leonid Mikhelson on Wealth & Success
“Engineering is about solving problems that matter. The harder the problem, the more rewarding the solution.”
“The Arctic holds enormous potential, but developing it requires patience, innovation, and respect for the environment.”
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AI-Generated Content — This profile was created using AI and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, details may contain errors or be outdated. Quotes may be paraphrased or taken out of context. Achievements and figures are based on public reporting and may not be precise. This profile does not imply endorsement by the individual featured. Not financial advice.
