Born in 1966 in the Moscow region, Andrei Skoch is a Russian metals magnate and long-standing political figure whose career is rooted in the chaotic post-Soviet entrepreneurial environment. Skoch’s early life was focused on physical culture and education; he served in the Soviet Army in 1984 and later graduated from the Institute of Physical Culture and the Moscow State University for Humanities. His dissertation was written at the Institute of Physical Culture, showcasing a background rooted in discipline and sport rather than finance or mining.

His entrepreneurial journey began humbly in the late 1980s with a bakery he started with a partner. He quickly moved into selling computer components and owning fuel distribution companies, capitalizing on the new market economy. This rapid transition from small business to high-stakes commodities set the stage for his most significant partnership, which would secure his family's multi-billion dollar fortune.

Andrei Skoch's career is defined by his crucial partnership with fellow billionaire Alisher Usmanov in the Russian metals industry. In the late 1990s, Skoch joined the metals business, participating in the acquisition of key assets, notably the Lebedinsky Mining and a steel production plant in Belgorod. He served as Deputy General at JSC Lebedinsky GOK, demonstrating his role in managing the core assets.

When Usmanov formed the Metalloinvest conglomerate in 2006, consolidating these assets into one of the world's largest producers of iron ore and steel, Skoch became a major, long-term partner, reportedly owning 30% of the shares. However, Skoch was elected as a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation in 1999, a position that required him to legally distance himself from his commercial assets. Consequently, his massive stake in Metalloinvest is publicly held in the name of his father, Vladimir Nikitovich Skoch, ensuring his continued political and business influence. Through his family, he maintains deep control over this vast industrial empire while serving continuously in Russian politics.

Andrei Skoch is one of Russia’s most generous philanthropists, channeling millions of dollars through his Pokolenie (“Generation”) Foundation. His giving is broad, but has a strong focus on social welfare, cultural heritage, and literature, often with a patriotic or national focus.

The Pokolenie Foundation supports cultural workers, scientists, large families (three or more children), veterans, and senior citizens. Skoch has donated over $117 million to various causes, including financing the construction of medical facilities and providing financial support for the reconstruction and restoration of military cemeteries and war monuments in Russia. He is also the sponsor of the Debut Prize, a prestigious literary award for Russian writers under the age of 25. This dedicated, large-scale giving has earned him multiple Russian state awards and honors for his charitable work.

Andrei Skoch embodies the disciplined, high-level style of a Russian businessman-politician. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored dark suits suitable for the State Duma and international corporate negotiations. His style is conservative, projecting authority and sobriety, reflecting the seriousness of his industrial and political roles.

His lifestyle is one of immense, generational wealth, managed privately through his family's trust. The wealth funds a life of significant leisure and comfort, though the family has faced scrutiny due to their massive, high-profile properties. He is the father of ten children, including quadruplets, a large family that underscores his personal legacy. The core of his luxury is the deep, stable income stream from the global metals market, which he leverages for large-scale philanthropy and to maintain his political position.