Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, has reportedly died in a private plane crash. He was 62 years old and had amassed significant wealth during his time as a leading figure, in particular from his involvement in the activities of the Wagner Group in the Ukrainian conflict. Prigozhin’s relationship with Putin was complex: he was seen as both a confidant and, at one point, a rival. This change came about when he was accused of orchestrating an alleged coup in June 2023. Early in his career, Prigozhin was known colloquially as “Putin’s chef” due to his ownership of restaurants and caterers that served to the Kremlin. Prigozhin’s description by insiders is that of a formidable and ruthless figure. However, it is important to consult current and reliable sources for the latest updates on these events, as my last knowledge update was in September 2021.
Yevgeny Prigozhin Net Worth 2023
These multifaceted business ventures contributed significantly to Prigozhin’s immense wealth, with some estimates putting his personal fortune at up to £2 billion. Numerous people familiar with Prigozhin have portrayed him as a “calculating manipulator”, showing deference to those of higher social status and often displaying tyranny towards his subordinates in his rise to prominence. A businessman who had crossed paths with the oligarch during the 1990s told The Guardian: “He possesses determination and skill and is not afraid to resort to any means to achieve his wishes.”
A former defense official further noted: “He seems to get satisfaction not only from the end goal but also from the process itself.” Prigozhin’s relentless rise dates back to 1981 inside a Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) court. Decades-old legal records, revealed by Russian news outlet Meduza in 2021, revealed that Prigozhin was facing charges of robbery and assault, resulting in his incarceration in Soviet-era Russia’s penal colonies.
After the collapse of communism, he emerged after a nine-year sentence with a hardened character and an opportunistic mindset. He started selling hot dogs on the run-down streets of St. Petersburg, a business that eventually blossomed into a restaurant chain, all the while becoming entangled in the organized crime scene that plagued the city. By 1996, Prigozhin had established a prosperous restaurant business, which fatefully caught the eye of Putin, who dined at one of Prigozhin’s establishments, earning him the nickname “Putin’s chef.”
Following his meeting with President Putin in 2001, Prigozhin’s catering company began winning lucrative state contracts to provide meals for Russia’s educational institutions and armed forces. This partnership would evolve into a relationship of substantial financial value, a testament to the privileges associated with proximity to Putin. The now-deceased warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was believed to have amassed significant wealth, potentially making him a billionaire. His opulent lifestyle reportedly included possessions such as a luxurious yacht, private jet and other lavish assets, contributing to an estimated net worth of over £1 billion.
As recently as June, President Putin made it public that Prigozhin and the Wagner Group had secured £1.6 billion worth of contracts from the Russian state in the past year alone. Furthermore, Prigozhin was allegedly adept at capitalizing on the natural resources of various nations and maintaining ties with unstable regimes. According to an investigation by the Financial Times, the Wagner Group extended its security services to many vulnerable and conflict-affected countries in Africa and the Middle East. Companies with suspected ties to Prigozhin allegedly made $250 million from exploiting natural resources in these nations during the four years preceding Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. It is understood that the Wagner Group was engaged in the extraction of diamonds, gold, oil and gas from the countries where it operated, while receiving direct payments from corrupt regimes.
Categories: Biography
Source: vtt.edu.vn