| Name: | Yevgeniy Prigozhin |
| Net Worth: | $1 billion |
| Source of Wealth: | Concord Catering |
| Born: | June 1, 1961 |
| Age: | |
| Country: | Russia |
| Wife: | Lyubov Prigozhina |
| Children: | Veronika Prigozhina, Polina Prigozhina, and Pavel Prigozhin |
| Residence: | Moscow |
| Private Jet: | M-VITO, M-SAAN, VP-CSP |
| Yacht: | ST VITAMIN |
Yevgeniy Prigozhin, born 1 June 1961, is a Russian businessman widely recognized as “Putin’s Chef“. His early life was marked by a troubled childhood, growing up in a communal apartment in Leningrad. Prigozhin’s father served prison time for embezzlement, and his mother struggled to support the family. Prigozhin himself was no stranger to the criminal justice system in his youth, having served nine years in prison for robbery and fraud by the time he was 25.
He is married to Lyubov Prigozhina and has three children: Veronika, Polina, and Pavel.
Upon release from prison in 1990, Prigozhin ventured into the hot dog selling business at an open-air market. His ventures proved successful, and the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early ’90s allowed him to further expand his business activities. He soon transitioned from grocery stores to the gambling industry, and then to restaurants. His floating restaurant, New Island, became one of Saint Petersburg’s most fashionable dining spots, even hosting U.S. President George W. Bush in 2002.
By 2003, Prigozhin had established a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and had begun securing numerous government contracts. His company, Concord Catering, received a contract in 2012 to supply meals to the Russian military, with some profits alleged to have been used to fund the Internet Research Agency.
Despite his success, Prigozhin’s business practices were not without controversy. The Anti-Corruption Foundation accused him of corrupt business practices, alleging that he held illegal wealth over one billion rubles. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project even named him the Corrupt Person of the Year in 2022.
Prigozhin is also the self-reported founder of the controversial private military contractor, the Wagner Group. Established to support Russian forces in the war in Donbas, the group’s activities have since expanded to many regions in Africa and the Middle East.
The group faced international scrutiny in 2018, when it attacked US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, resulting in casualties during a retaliatory air strike. Furthermore, the murder of three Russian journalists investigating the group’s activities in the Central African Republic in 2018 drew significant attention to Wagner’s operations.
The group was also implicated in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Prigozhin personally overseeing the group’s progress on the frontlines. Later that year, a leaked video showed Prigozhin attempting to recruit convicts to support Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.
In response to the Internet Research Agency’s attempts to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections through social media campaigns, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the agency. For the first time, these sanctions also targeted Prigozhin’s private possessions, specifically his three planes and the St Vitamin yacht managed through three companies: Beratex Group Limited, Linburg Industries LTD, and Autolex Transport Ltd. As a result, U.S. entities are now prohibited from engaging in transactions with these companies, and any of these properties entering U.S. jurisdiction are subject to seizure.
The U.S. Treasury’s actions underscore the seriousness with which it views Prigozhin’s activities, providing a stern warning to those who may be involved in facilitating or supporting his actions.
From his humble beginnings as a hot dog vendor to becoming one of Russia’s most influential businessmen, Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s life is a testament to the twists and turns that can shape an individual’s path. His story continues to unfold amidst a complex backdrop of international politics and controversies.
Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s influence extends beyond the bounds of his native Russia. His involvement in various activities, from running a catering empire to founding a private military contractor and managing a so-called ‘troll farm’, has attracted global attention. Prigozhin’s story offers a unique perspective into the interplay between business and politics in Putin’s Russia, even as it raises significant questions about the role of individuals and private organizations in international conflicts and digital misinformation campaigns.
Despite facing significant sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department and continuous scrutiny from the global media, Prigozhin remains a prominent figure in Russia’s business and political landscapes. His apparent immunity to repercussions, despite involvement in various controversies, paints a picture of the opaque nature of power dynamics in present-day Russia.
Regardless, Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s trajectory makes it clear that he is a player to watch in the ever-unfolding drama of global politics. With an ability to pivot and adapt that has seen him rise from a hot dog vendor to a billionaire oligarch, Prigozhin is an embodiment of the fluidity of power and wealth in modern Russia.
Prighozin was killed on August 23, 2023, when his Embraer Legacy 600 (RA-02795) crashed near Kuzhenkino in Tver Oblast, approximately 100 kilometers north of its departure point in Moscow.
Among the fatalities were two prominent figures linked to the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, a private military firm backed by the Russian government. This incident led to theories suggesting that the plane might have been deliberately brought down by orders from the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, due to Prigozhin’s previous rebellion against the military leadership of Russia.
Flightradar24 data revealed abnormal fluctuations in the plane’s altitude just before the crash. Visual indicators from the crash site suggested a major structural breakdown of the aircraft. Western intelligence agencies have posited that an explosion was the probable cause of the plane’s crash.
The airplane, produced by the Brazilian corporation Embraer, had ties to Prigozhin since 2018 and was prohibited from entering the United States due to sanctions placed on Prigozhin.
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He lived with his wife Lyubov Prigozhina in a large estate in St Petersburg.
Russian security forces have carried out a raid on the palatial St Petersburg residence of Prigozhin.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) reported discovering firearms, ammunition, gold bars, a taxidermied alligator, and an array of wigs in the lavish home which Prigozhin had to leave behind after an unsuccessful coup attempt the previous month.
Images and footage of the operation were released by the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia. The evidence presented also included seemingly counterfeit passports and a chilling framed photograph purportedly displaying the decapitated heads of Prigozhin’s adversaries.
St. Petersburg, Russia, is a city of immense grandeur and historical significance, often referred to as the “Venice of the North” due to its intricate network of canals and striking architecture. As Russia’s second largest city, it boasts a vibrant cultural scene, filled with world-class museums, opulent palaces, and magnificent cathedrals. With a vibrant economy, it has become a significant business hub, attracting many domestic and international companies.
One of the reasons Russian billionaires are drawn to St. Petersburg is its rich cultural heritage, making it an appealing place to invest in real estate and support philanthropic causes. The city is also strategically located, offering convenient access to both European and Asian markets. Moreover, the city government provides favourable conditions for large businesses, which are often supported by tax incentives and other benefits.
For these oligarchs, residing in St. Petersburg also symbolizes prestige and signifies their status in society. They are not just enjoying the city’s luxury lifestyle, but also contributing to its flourishing economic and cultural landscape.
He was the owner of the yacht ST Vitamin.
The St Vitamin yacht is a 37.4-meter superyacht built by Astondoa S.A. (Astilleros) in Spain in 2005.
The yacht features both exterior and interior design by Nuvolari Lenard, known for their elegant and functional designs.
St Vitamin can accommodate up to 12 guests and 4 crew members, ensuring a luxurious and comfortable journey.
Constructed with a durable GRP hull and superstructure, the yacht is powered by three MTU engines that give her a top speed of 34 knots.
He owned three private jets:
M-VITO, a Hawker 800XP built in 2001;
M-SAAN, an Embraer Legacy 600 built in 2007. Now registered as RA-02795. This is the airplane, that crashed and killed Prighozin.
VP-CSP, a British Aerospace BAe 125-800B built in 2009. Now registered as RA-02731
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Yacht Owners Database 2024
