Dominic Midgley, Chris Hutchins "Abramivich. The billioner from nowhere"
Photo: Valery Melnikov
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One Oligarch's story
A unique biography of Roman Abramovich came out in October. It did not become a bestseller, but it helped explain to the British why they can shake hands with the Russian billionaire without damaging their reputation.
During the Soviet times, Zhiguli owners never spared expressions in address of the VAZ automobile manufacturer, while foreigners, driving Ladas thought the cars were not so bad, especially considering the ratio of price and quality. That did not surprise anybody in the USSR. After all an export product is an export product. That is why one should not wonder why the Russian politicians and other people having any relation to power are known and remembered better abroad than in Russia. Take Mikhail Gorbachev, for instance, who has been almost forgotten in Russia (does not get any higher than the 34th place in the ratings of political leaders popularity), while he is remembered regularly in the West (almost never gone lower than the 20th place in the rating of Russians being mentioned in Western press).
Maybe Russians would have a different attitude toward their leaders if they made time to explain their actions to the citizens. But the leaders are used to speaking with their co citizens by language of manifestos and decrees. Explanations – meeting with editors of leading newspapers and magazines, “live” interviews on TV during prime time – are only for foreigners.
Is it surprising that the first and so far the only more or less detailed biography of Roman Abramovich was published abroad? It is not that no one is interested to know the life of one of the riches and influential people of the country. It is just that nobody in Russia thought its citizens needed to know it. The unauthorized biography (Abramovich: The billionare from Nowhere) was published in London by HarperCollins. Its authors, famous journalists Dominic Midgley and Chris Hutchins, assure that the main hero was against the book. If that is true, then Abramovich must change his opinion after he reads the book: a more positive elucidation of main points of his life would have looked like “ordered material.” So this is how Midgley and Hutchins tell the life story of Abramovich.
How Abramovich Became an Orphan
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich was born October 24, 1966 in Saratov. His mother Irina decided to deliver him in her home city, rather than in Syktyvkar where she and her husband lived. Many famous and talented writers, thinkers, and many other representatives of creative vocations were more there. That is why in Russia it is considered that to be born in that city is to be born under the lucky star. However, in relation to Roman it seemed not to be true. Soon after Roman was born, Irina got pregnant again and decided to have an abortion the results of which were blood poisoning and death. She was only 28.
In 1969 Roman’s father Arkady Abramovich also died. He headed up the supply department of a large construction enterprise. One of the visits to a construction site turned out to be tragic: a gibbet fell and crushed Arkady’s legs. He died in a few days. The doctors said he died of a rare and tragic circumstances: arteries were blocked by bone marrow particles.
So, at the age of two and a half Roman became an orphan. His uncle’s Leib Abramovich family adopted him, so he left for a faraway town of Ukhta, which is 700 km away from Moscow.
How Abramovich was Growing Up
Roman was not the only child in his uncle’s family – Leib had two daughters of his own. Roman’s position as the only male heir was special, though. First they all lived in a one-room apartment, but then they were able to get a three-room apartment with the help of some manipulation with the law. Leib Abramovich was head of supply department of Ukhtales enterprise, so Roman was well provided for by Soviet standards. He was the first one to own a western cassette player, nice clothes; there was always much food at home. Such well-being provoked jealousy, and the apartment was robbed several times.
In 1974, however, Roman left Ukhta to live with his grandmother and second uncle Abram. He lived at Tsvetnoy Boulevard and went to school No. 232 on Trubnaya Street. The class supervisor liked the boy from the beginning, and time proved love to be mutual. The billionaire saw to it that the school got a new gym, a wonderful cafeteria and a computer room. The school even issued a special brochure, dedicated to Abramovich. In it there is a letter addressed to the former student: “When we use our gym, we think of you. When we use the cafeteria, we think of you. When we use the computer room, we think of you…”
He treated his school in Ukhta in a different manner. Academic supervisor Irina Aleshina, said she asked her former student for help, but the school received not a single ruble.
How Abramovich Served in the Army
Roman was lucky to get into the army between two wars – Afgan and Chechen. He served in Kirzhach. At that time the Soviet army had a whole hierarchy set up in it, the Muscovites and Jews were especially hated. Roman was able to establish good relations both with informal leaders within the squad and with officers. He did not drink, or smoke, participated in sports, organized a football team and an amateur theatre. When Edil Aitnazarov, a lad from small village in Kyrgyzstan, came to serve his term, Abramovich helped him learn Russian, taught him to gather mushrooms, which do not grow in Kyrgyzstan. A year and a half later Aitnazarov was demobilized because of a tragedy in his family. Roman gave him all the money he had and even borrowed some from other soldiers.
It was in the army that Roman developed the ability to overcome privations and to depend only on himself – the qualities, which helped him become what he is now.
How Abramovich Became a Businessman
Abramovich was discharged from the army at the heat of perestroika and co-operative movement. He fought the temptation to exchange his studying in Ukhta institute for an opportunity to get rich for a while, but at the end he did establish a co-operative “Uyut,” which manufactured and sold dolls. The co-operative brought constant and decent income, but Abramovich started making real money only after the USSR collapsed.
Economic reforms accelerated after Yeltsin’s rise to power, but the legislators could not keep up with the realities of life. There were many of those who at that time realized how profitable it was to sell oil. It was not even necessary to extract the oil, if one wanted to sell it. All that was needed was acquiring an exporting license and to export oil by prices of the world market, while purchasing it from local producers by domestic market prices. Abramovich was one of the first people to think of that idea.
How Abramovich met Berezovsky
The first time Roman Abramovich met with Boris Berezovsky was on Peter Aven’s yacht. Famous businessman was very impressed by the young man. According to Echo of Moscow radio station editor-in-chief Aleksey Venidiktov, Berezovsky called Abramovich “the most talented young man he’d ever met.” Berezovsky denies he said that. But the fact still remains. Just several months after the first meeting both had begun working on Sibneft project. Berezovsky had good connections in the government to get the project approved, and Abramovich had his experience in the complicated oil industry.
How Abramovich Found “the Family”
Abramovich owes it to Berezovsky for entering “the family.” He was the one to introduce the young oil man with Tatyana Dyachenko, Valentin Yumashev and Boris Yeltsin himself. Abramovich had especially warm relationship with Dyachenko. They spent much time together, which started rumors. Abramovich became a permanent guest at receptions given by Dyachenko at her dacha (once, when he was unloading groceries from the car, one of the guests called him a “cute waiter”), spent time with her on Berezovsky’s yacht, or went mountain skiing with her. Head of presidential security Korzhakov spread rumors about them, saying he was ordered once to destroy files, which confirmed their intimate relations.
These are all rumors. One thing is doubtless, though, Abramovich position with “the family” was growing more and more stable. Yumashev and Dyachenko slowly arrived at conclusion that it was much simpler to deal with Abramovich than his older partner Berezovsky. Abramovich was nicknamed “the family’s moneybags.”
How Abramovich Worked for Putin
Abramovich never strove to go into politics. He was interested only in business. But Berezovsky practically dragged him into the Kremlin affairs. When Vladimir Putin became Russia’s prime minister and Yeltsin’s semiofficial successor, Abramovich was the one to interview the potential members of the new cabinet. Aleksey Venidiktov saw it personally, although he had not met Abramovich in person yet. Later, when they became friends, the journalist reminded the billionare this incident, but Abramovich said he did not “interview” anybody. Those were just “friendly talks.”
Then Abramovich organized and financed Edinstvo party, which was supposed to help Putin become the president of Russia. Thanks to Abramovich’ efforts at the elections, the young party won a decisive victory. Abramovich’ relations with Putin were also strengthened. When the oligarchs had an argument with the President (Berezovsky wanted a chair in the government, and Putin told him that he was going to make all decisions alone), Abramovich took Putin’s side and let him know that he was going to follow the new rules.
Putin was so sure of his loyalty, that he did not even invite him to the memorable meeting with business leaders, where he recommended that they should leave their active interests in politics.
How Abramovich Became Governor
In 1999 Abramovich proposed himself candidate at the elections from Chukotka and won. Many thought his main goal was to get inviolability. Others thought it was done on Putin’s request, who wanted to have a loyal person in that region. Others yet though that Aleksandr Nazarov, Chukotka’s governor at the time, was the one interested in that. Abramovich met him during his travels throughout the country, which had to do with promoting Edinstvo party.
One way or another, Abramovich demonstrated responsibility before Chukotka’s governemt. He visited Alaska, learned about living standards there, and upon his return to Chukotka started a program to aid his voters. Nazarov, under whom the region was driven into a crisis felt offended. Polus Nadezhdy humanitarian aid organization offices were attacked several times. Abramovich was hard to frighten. He became to openly speak about the desire to become governor, and inspite of Nazarov’s active opposition, won the elections. Presently, thankful Eskimos worship him like the messiah.
How Abramovich became “Mr. Chelsky”
Abramovich became Mr. Chelsky thanks to his friend, British football agent Pini Zahavi. They met in 1998, when Zahavi came to Russia to see the situation with local football. When Abramovich decided he wanted to own a British football club he asked Zahavi to organize him a meeting with Manchester United players (that’s the club which gained his interest then). In April 2002 he came to the match of Manchester with Real Madrid. One of MU player, Rio Ferdinand, sill has warm memories of how he took Abramovich around Manchester, and the former sang songs with Rio’s four-year-old step-brother.
Nothing, came of Manchester United purchase. So Zahavi introduced his friend to Chelsea owner Ken Bates. First, the news of Chelsea purchased by an unknown Russian businessman made a scandal, but soon the British fans and players realized that Abramovich was really interested in the clubs well-being. The only person, who did not realize that was Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri. Nevertheless, Abramovich tolerated Ranieri for a long time and fired him only after the defeat from Monaco, which deprived the club of hope to get into the Champions League final. Russia is another story, where many people still think that Abramovich bought himself an expensive toy with their money. Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov, whose Fatherland-All Russia party lost to Edinstvo at the parliamentary elections, and Sergey Stepashin, head of Accounting Chamber, who was fired to free space for Putin, were the loudest accusers of Abramovich.
How Abramovich Got into the Higher Society
A billionaire is deprived of many simple pleasures. He cannot simply take a walk in the park or stroll through the shops of Oxford Street. However, there are other advantages he has. New friends, for instance. After purchasing the football club, whose games are attended by many important people, such as Iceland president, dozens of parliament members and former prime-minister John Major, many door were opened before the orphan Jew from Ukhta. He is good friends with Lord Jacob Rotshild and his son Nate. It looks like Prince Charles is also sure to become a friend of Abramovich’. He enjoys the society of rich people, is friends with Armand Hammer, Greek ship owner John Latsis. He seems to be interested to become friends with Abramovich as well. He has already asked him for a favor once indirectly. The Prince needed fast transportation, and Abramovich, of course, let him use his personal helicopter.
The further growing of Abramovich into the British establishment will largely depend on Putin. So far Abramovich has no needs, but he is concerned with the fact that his old friend Putin may turn away from him for political reasons. Berezovsky also predicts that, being sure that Abramovich will be “not the next one after the next victim, but without any doubt, one of Putin’s victims.”
Vyacheslav Belash
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 08, 2004
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