Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Net Worth:

Age: 45

Marital status: Married, one son and one daughter

Last year: $6.6 billion

Industry: Ferroalloys, petrochemicals, finance, mass media

Igor Kolomoisky, one of the least public billionaires in Ukraine, has overtaken his countryman and long-time rival Victor Pinchuk in the list of Ukraine’s richest for the first time. Judging by the businessman’s diligence, this achievement may last a long time. While Pinchuk primarily concentrates on keeping hold of what’s left from his previous dolce vita, Kolomoisky is striving to expand his business empire. For example, the billionaire is fighting for control of Ferrexpo, a giant iron ore producer, which belongs to multi-millionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago. In September 2008 and February 2009, the financial and industrial group Privat acquired 10 percent of its shares in Ferrexpo and is now gunning for the supervisory board. In just one year, after booting out Oleksandr Rodnyansky and Boris Fuksman as owners of the TV company Studio 1+1, Kolomoisky has got himself on the supervisory board of Studio 1+1 and 1+1 Production through acquiring a 4 percent stake in its international parent company, Bermuda-based CME. “Igor Kolomoisky is a very successful businessman of international standing. His experience will contribute greatly to the development of our business in Ukraine,” says Adrian Sarbu, CME’s president.