Net Worth: $ 443 million (June 2008)

Age: 49 years old

Marital status: Married, has two sons

Last year: $ 291 million

Industry: Trade, hotel and restaurant business

Igor Balenko is an owner of the biggest fork in the country. This is the exact translation of the French word for Furshet, which is the name of a supermarket chain (84 stores in Ukraine and five in Moldova), which Balenko controls. Last year Balenko also signed an agreement with French Auchan, and in late March the first supermarket of this world chain was opened in Kyiv.

 

Now the businessman, who in 1980s was trading in imitation jewellery, horses and pastry, and in the beginning of 1990s was selling Armenian shoes, has a new purpose – to create a chain of budget hotels with economy seven-day stays in Ukraine. Two from them are already built, one is in Kyiv, the other is in Kamenets-Podilsk.

 

In addition, Balenko planned to build a wide c of inexpensive fast food restaurants. A successful investment, as last year fast-food chains brought their owners $275 million. Why not start working on it? “Money is energy,” Balenko told in his interview to Korrespondent. “It is necessary to save it or to invest into another form of energy all the time”. Ukrainian singer and violinist, a 42-years-old Assiya Akhat, who is Balenko’s wife, adds more fame and energy the magnate.