Farkhad Akhmedov is a Russian billionaire oligarch and former politician. His wealth was founded in the high-stakes, post-Soviet gas and oil industry. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, in 1955, he moved to Moscow at the age of 15. His unique academic background includes graduating from the Moscow Veterinary Academy in 1983 and the Perm Medical Institute (before pivoting to business).

His career began in the late 1980s, when he founded Tansley Trading, a company that supplied equipment to Russian gas producers. He secured a brokerage license, one of the first in Russia, which allowed him to trade and deal with securities, strategically positioning him for the privatization era.

Farkhad Akhmedov's strategic masterpiece was his years-long corporate battle with Gazprom over the control of Nortgas, a Siberian oil and gas company in which he acquired a minority stake in 1993. Akhmedov aggressively bought shares and famously diluted Gazprom's stake, claiming they failed to invest. The parties eventually settled in 2005, with Akhmedov returning a 51 percent stake for free, a loss he quickly recouped. His financial apex came in 2012 when he sold his remaining 49 percent stake in Nortgas to Novatek for $1.375 billion.

His wealth is tied to several controversies: a record-breaking £453 million divorce settlement awarded by a London High Court in 2016 (later reduced and settled for an undisclosed amount), and his inclusion on the U.S. Treasury's 'Kremlin report' in 2018. Akhmedov has also been active in politics, serving as a representative in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. He has since invested in non-oil ventures, such as a pomegranate juice factory in his native Azerbaijan.

Farkhad Akhmedov's social impact is structural, stemming from his role in the Russian gas and oil industry during the privatization era. His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives, including his investments in the Azerbaijan Goychay Pomegranate Festival (named after his father).

His career is often cited for illustrating the high-stakes nature of the post-Soviet resource privatization, marked by intense corporate and legal battles.

Farkhad Akhmedov maintains the highly visible, opulent style of a Russian oligarch. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His lifestyle is defined by his residence in Monaco, his possession of large yachts (like the Luna), and his significant investments in high-end art and real estate globally.

His luxury is the immense security and financial power derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to private global investment, navigating complex international legal and political challenges.