V asily Shikin is a Russian billionaire investor whose fortune is tied to his role as a key partner in the private investment firm, Cascade Investment. This highly secretive firm is the primary investment vehicle that manages the vast personal fortune of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Cascade Investment holds a diversified portfolio of assets, including major stakes in public companies, real estate, and private equity.

Shikin, as a key partner at Cascade, has played a significant role in managing these global investments. The firm is a major shareholder in companies like the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Republic Services, and Deere & Co. Shikin's billionaire status is derived from the substantial personal wealth he has accumulated through his long and successful career managing the assets of one of the world's richest individuals.