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In the world today
Sergei Popov

Sergei Popov

S. Popov
0% | + $0.00M
$3.02 B ₹ 27,496 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #1368 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Sergei Popov

Gender

Male

Age

54Y

Country

Russia

Born On

August, 1971

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Single

Children

Unknown

Education

Ural State Technical University – Engineering And Economics

Designation Info :

Self-Made

Yes

Entrepreneur Type

Self-Made (Banking, Industry)

Primary Organization

Unknown

Titles

Unknown

Sources of Wealth

MDM Bank (Sold)

Industry

Finance, Investments, Banking

About Sergei Popov


S ergei Popov is a Russian industrialist and banker who co-founded one of the country's most successful business partnerships of the post-Soviet era. In the early 1990s, alongside his partner Andrei Melnichenko, he established MDM Bank, which they built into one of Russia's largest privately-owned banks. Their strategy involved leveraging the bank's financial power to acquire undervalued industrial assets, a common and highly effective approach during that period of economic transition.

This partnership led to the creation of two industrial giants: EuroChem, a leading global fertilizer producer, and SUEK, Russia's largest coal producer. In 2006, in a meticulously planned and amicable separation, the two billionaires divided their empire. Melnichenko took control of the industrial assets, while Popov retained ownership of the banking business, including MDM Bank. After managing the bank for several more years, Popov sold his stake, effectively cashing out of his major holdings. Since then, he has become one of Russia's most reclusive billionaires, managing his fortune through private investments and avoiding the public spotlight.

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Quick Reads


  • Co-founded MDM Bank with his former partner, Andrei Melnichenko.
  • Together they also established industrial giants EuroChem and SUEK.
  • In a 2006 asset split, Popov took control of the banking assets.
  • He later sold his stake in MDM Bank.
  • Known for being highly reclusive and maintaining a very low public profile.

Early Life and Background


Sergei Vladimirovich Popov is a Russian businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder and former Executive of MDM Bank and a major figure in metals, coal, and resource extraction. His career is rooted in elite science, finance, and post-Soviet privatization.

Popov holds a B.S. in Physics from Moscow State University (MSU). His philosophical approach centers on opportunistic acquisition, scale consolidation, and long-term asset hold in the essential banking and resource sectors (leveraging his financial acumen). His structural wealth is tied to his immense stake in SUEK (coal) and EuroChem (fertilizers).

  • MDM Bank (Former Co-founder & Executive): The foundational source of his wealth, the major Russian private bank (sold in the 2000s).
  • SUEK (Coal) / EuroChem (Fertilizer) (Major Shareholder): He held substantial stakes in Russia's largest coal producer and largest fertilizer company (core industrial assets).
  • Academic Background: He holds a B.S. in Physics from MSU.
  • Controversy/Crisis: His career is linked to the political volatility of post-Soviet privatization and corporate feuds over resource assets.

Career Journey of Sergei Popov


Sergei Popov's strategic genius was his commitment to high-capital asset acquisition. He co-founded MDM Bank in 1993 (a key player in Russia's post-Soviet financial system). His structural contribution is immense: pioneering modern financial services and driving the privatization and consolidation of Russia's industrial base (specializing in coal and fertilizers). The pinnacle of his financial career was the sale of his stake in MDM Bank and the subsequent sale of his resource assets.

He later focused on private investment and philanthropy. His wealth is secured by the colossal liquid gains from his asset sales and the long-term appreciation of his diversified investments.

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Sergei Popov's Timeline


1993:

Co-founds MDM Bank (Founding 1).

2000s:

Popov acquires major stakes in SUEK (coal) and EuroChem (fertilizer) (Industrial Apex).

2015 (approx.):

Sells his remaining stake in his major resource companies (Major Exit).

Ongoing:

Continues as Co-founder and major private investor, managing his liquid wealth (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Sergei Popov's wealth is concentrated in his retained capital from his resource holdings and his private investments.

  • MDM Bank (Former Co-founder & Executive): The foundational source of his wealth, the major Russian private bank (sold in the 2000s).
  • SUEK (Coal) / EuroChem (Fertilizer) (Major Shareholder): He held substantial stakes in Russia's largest coal producer and largest fertilizer company (core industrial assets).
  • Academic Background: He holds a B.S. in Physics from MSU.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in industrial assets and strategic M&A (leveraging privatization opportunities).

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Sergei Popov's social impact stems from his companies' roles in providing essential commodities (coal, fertilizer) and financial services across Russia. His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives, often focused on science and higher education (reflecting his physics background).

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Sergei Popov maintains the professional, composed style of a corporate executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the global financial 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 investment strategy, resource management, and asset management.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is the Co-founder of MDM Bank and held major stakes in SUEK (coal) and EuroChem (fertilizer).
  • He holds a B.S. in Physics from Moscow State University (MSU).
  • His fortune is tied to the successful privatization and consolidation of Russian industrial and financial assets.
  • He sold his major resource stakes in the 2010s.
  • His philosophy emphasizes resource control and opportunistic acquisition.

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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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