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Oleg Deripaska

Oleg Deripaska

O. Deripaska
0.1% | + $6.68M
$6.94 B ₹ 63,155 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #575 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Oleg Deripaska

Gender

Male

Age

58Y

Country

Russia

Born On

January, 1968

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Divorced

Children

2

Education

Moscow State University – BS In Physics

Designation Info :

Self-Made

Yes

Entrepreneur Type

Self-Made (Aluminum)

Primary Organization

Basic Element

Titles

Founder

Sources of Wealth

Rusal

Industry

Metals & Mining, Industrial

About Oleg Deripaska


O leg Deripaska is a Russian industrialist who became one of the country's most powerful oligarchs, primarily through his control of the aluminum industry. He studied physics at Moscow State University and later economics at the Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics. He began his career as a metals trader during the tumultuous 1990s, a period known as the 'aluminum wars' for control over Russia's vast smelters. Deripaska emerged as a winner from this violent and chaotic period, consolidating numerous aluminum assets.

In 2000, he founded Basic Element, a diversified industrial group, and more significantly, he established Russian Aluminium (Rusal), which became the world's largest aluminum company after merging with competitors and acquiring alumina assets. In 2007, Rusal merged with SUAL Group and the alumina assets of Glencore to create UC Rusal. His empire expanded to include interests in energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. Deripaska has faced significant challenges in recent years, including being placed under U.S. sanctions in 2018 due to his ties to the Kremlin, which forced him to reduce his stake and relinquish control of UC Rusal to get the sanctions on the company lifted.

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Quick Reads


  • Founder of Rusal, which became the world's largest aluminum company.
  • Built his fortune during Russia's 'aluminum wars' of the 1990s.
  • His main holding company is the industrial group Basic Element.
  • Was forced to relinquish control of Rusal due to U.S. sanctions imposed in 2018.
  • Also has interests in energy, machinery, and agriculture.

Early Life and Background


Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska is a Russian businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and former Executive of Basic Element (a massive industrial holding) and UC Rusal (HKSE: 0486), one of the world's largest aluminum producers. His career is rooted in elite science, resource acquisition, and industrial consolidation.

Deripaska holds a B.S. in Physics from Moscow State University (MSU) and a degree in Economics from the Russian Plekhanov Academy of Economics. His philosophical approach centers on vertical integration, resource control, and long-term asset hold in the essential industrial sector (aluminum and energy). His career is marked by aggressive corporate battles and international political scrutiny.

  • UC Rusal (Former Executive & Shareholder): The core publicly traded asset, one of the world's largest aluminum producers.
  • Basic Element (Founder & Former Executive): The core private asset, a massive conglomerate spanning aluminum, energy, construction, and agricultural assets.
  • Controversy/Sanctions: He has been sanctioned by the U.S. (leading to complex corporate restructuring) and faced high-profile political scrutiny globally.
  • Academic Background: He holds a B.S. in Physics from MSU and a degree in Economics.

Career Journey of Oleg Deripaska


Oleg Deripaska's strategic genius was his commitment to vertical integration in the aluminum sector. He became the CEO of Sayanogorsk Aluminum Smelter in 1994 (at age 26). He later consolidated assets to form Rusal (which merged with SUAL and Glencore's aluminum assets), becoming a global giant. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the privatization and vertical integration of Russia's aluminum industrial base.

His career faced a massive crisis in 2018 when the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him and his companies, leading to a major corporate restructuring to remove him from controlling interest. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global aluminum and resource sector.

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Oleg Deripaska's Timeline


1989:

Graduates from Moscow State University (MSU) (Physics) (Academic Achievement).

1994 (Age 26):

Becomes CEO of Sayanogorsk Aluminum Smelter (Executive Ascent).

2000s:

Rusal is formed through major mergers (Industrial Apex).

2018 (April):

U.S. Treasury Department imposes sanctions on him and his companies (Geopolitical Crisis).

Ongoing:

Continues as Founder and major shareholder, managing his interests (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Oleg Deripaska's wealth is concentrated in his retained stake and liquid capital from UC Rusal (HKSE: 0486) and his private conglomerate, Basic Element.

  • UC Rusal (Former Executive & Shareholder): The core publicly traded asset, one of the world's largest aluminum producers.
  • Basic Element (Founder & Former Executive): The core private asset, a massive conglomerate spanning aluminum, energy, construction, and agricultural assets.
  • Controversy/Sanctions: He has been sanctioned by the U.S. (leading to complex corporate restructuring) and faced high-profile political scrutiny globally.
  • Academic Background: He holds a B.S. in Physics from MSU and a degree in Economics.

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Oleg Deripaska's social impact is structural, stemming from UC Rusal's role as a massive industrial employer and foundational supplier of aluminum—an essential industrial commodity. His companies contribute significantly to national industrial output. His Volnoe Delo Foundation supports education, science, and cultural initiatives (especially in Siberia and the South of Russia).

His structural contribution is tied to the successful privatization and vertical integration of Russia's industrial base.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Oleg Deripaska maintains the professional, composed style of an industrial executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the high-capital resource sector.

Residing in Moscow, Russia, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to industrial scale, resource control, and investment strategy.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is the Founder and Former Executive of UC Rusal, one of the world's largest aluminum producers.
  • He was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 (leading to complex corporate restructuring).
  • He holds a degree in Physics from Moscow State University (MSU).
  • His fortune is tied to the successful privatization and vertical integration of Russia's aluminum industrial base.
  • He became the CEO of a major smelter at age 26.
  • He is a major philanthropist (Volnoe Delo Foundation).
  • His wealth is estimated at $2.5 billion (2024 estimate).

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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