Trusts for children, not toys
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich (Bloomberg estimates his fortune at $7.9 billionForbes – in $8.7 billion) is no longer the ultimate beneficiary of ten trust funds controlling multi-billion dollar assets, reported the British edition of The Guardian.
Referring to the documents at the disposal of journalists, the publication reported that control over trusts in 2022 was transferred to the children of a businessman. At the same time, the transfer process was launched in the first days of February, a few weeks before Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
According to The Guardian, the amendments made to the trust documents at the time made the seven children of Abramovich the beneficiaries of trusts with assets worth at least $4 billion. However, the total amount could be much more. Experts interviewed by The Guardian believe that the changes could frustrate attempts by Western authorities to freeze assets previously considered the property of Abramovich, who is on the sanctions lists of the EU, the UK and some other countries. So, in December 2022, the Canadian authorities declaredthat they will begin the process of confiscating $26 million from the British Virgin Islands-registered company Granite Capital Holdings Ltd., which is associated with Abramovich. However, newly emerging documents show that in February 2022, Abramovich ceased to be the beneficiary of HF Trust, which owns Granite Capital, and then his children took his place.
In another case, the children of a billionaire became the beneficiaries of a trust that owns aircraft worth about $400 million, for which in mid-2022 was arrested in the USA.
The decision of the Manhattan District Court was preceded by an administrative proceeding initiated by the Bureau of Industry of the Department of Commerce against Abramovich. The planes linked to Abramovich are Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and Gulfstream G650ERs, according to documents filed with the court. The Ministry of Commerce is demanding that a billionaire from Russia be fined for violating US export restrictions on aircraft. […] It follows from the court records that Boeing, worth $350 million, is now located in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and Gulfstream is in Russia. Abramovich “owned and/or controlled Gulfstream and Boeing through a series of shell companies,” according to an FBI agent’s sworn testimony.
According to the documents, Abramovich is the beneficiary of the Cypriot Europa Settlement Trust. She owns and controls Wotten Overseas Holdings in Jersey. Wotten owns Clear Skies Flights, which owns Gulfstream, and Wenham Overseas, which is based in the British Virgin Islands, owns Boeing. In April, Jersey authorities froze Abramovich’s assets worth more than $7 billion. Jersey is part of the Channel Islands, located off the coast of Normandy (France), and is a self-governing country. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II is the ruler of Great Britain.Great Britain protects the island with its military.
A different trust, which used to belong to Roman Abramovich until February 2022, owns a house in London worth £90 million. However, after the reorganization, control of the trust went to the children.
In early 2022, Abramovich was the primary beneficiary of at least ten trusts registered in Cyprus and Jersey, according to documents reviewed by The Guardian. However, on February 4, changes were made to the trust documents, reducing or nullifying Abramovich’s share and increasing his children's share in some cases to 51% and in others to 100%.
The Guardian points out that such a reorganization could greatly complicate the seizure and confiscation of assets.
RBC reached out to Abramovich’s representative.
The revelation of confidential information.
MeritServus Chairman and Managing Partner Demetris Ioannidis did not respond to The Guardian’s request, stating that he is not legally allowed to disclose information to third parties. Ioannidis explained, “The main duty of the trustee is to protect the assets of the trust.”
According to reports from Bloomberg, the fortune of Russian businessman Roman Abramovich has decreased by more than 50% to $7.8 billion in 2022. A year ago, his fortune was estimated at $18 billion. Abramovich (260th) was one of the Russian billionaires affected the most from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index losing nearly $95 billion in total. According to Forbes, Abramovich was ranked 17th on the list of Russian billionaires with a fortune of $6.9 billion.
football club Chelsea , he sold to a group of investors, including American businessmen Todd Boeli and Mark Walter, Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss and investment company Clearlake Capital. Furthermore, the four large yachts connected to the billionaire, located in Turkey since the sanctions on the yachts of Russian businessmen started detaining them worldwide. Heirs of billions: what seven children of Roman Abramovich look like and what they do
Roman Abramovich not only successfully expanded his business, but also started a family – the entrepreneur has seven descendants. What is currently known about the children of the billionaire? Let’s discuss the most significant details.
The 54-year-old Roman Abramovich has not only significant wealth, amounting to 9.3 billion pounds (or about 935 billion rubles), but also a considerable number of heirs. In total, the entrepreneur has seven children: he had no children in his first marriage, five were born in the second, and two more from the third. But what else is known about Abramovich's heirs, besides these facts?
Anna Abramovich
Anna is the oldest of Roman Arkadyevich’s children. Her mother – thirty
Irina Malandina , who was married to Abramovich for 16 years, from 1991 to 2007. The Muscovite graduated from Moscow State University, worked as a flight attendant, was considered one of the most stylish wives of the Russian elite and has always been distinguished by restraint and correct behavior. In total, the couple has five common children – Anna, Sophia, Arina, Ilya and Anna Abramovich Arkady.
Arkady Abramovich, 28
Many believe that Roman Arkadyevich's inheritance will go to his eldest son, Arkady. However, regardless of whether this will happen as in old English novels, the young man is already doing very well. He is the founder and owner of ARA Capital, which manages assets, including large blocks of shares, of Gazprom Neft.
Arkady and Roman Abramovichi
Sofia Abramovich, 27
Unlike her older sister Anna, Sofia did not dye her natural blonde hair, and resembles both her mom and dad. She didn't attend a prestigious university, but went to London’s Holloway College where she studied marketing. She is skilled in horse riding, which is a popular hobby among the daughters of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Sofia Abramovich
Arina Abramovich, 21
Roman Abramovich's third daughter, Arina, is also known as a privileged girl accompanied by security at all times. Like Sofia, she developed an interest in show jumping and competes in events where her father's horses often win prizes. She is a regular participant in the renowned Windsor Horse Show. While many find her appearance pleasant, she prefers to avoid the limelight. Rumor has it that after completing college, Arina plans to leave England for Australia to study as a zoologist.
Ilya Abramovich, 19
Ilya, the youngest child and second son of Roman and Irina, was rumored to be desired at Eton by his father, although this did not come to pass. After graduating from a London school, Ilya was preparing for university but little else is known about his life.
Ilya and Arkady Abramovichi
Dasha Zhukova Aaron Alexander Abramovich, 12.
The sixth and seventh children of Roman Arkadyevich were born in New York, where Dasha Zhukova, a model, collector, and philanthropist, spends much of her time. Daria and Roman
in 2017, however, they still maintain friendly communication, and the father regularly visits his youngest son and daughter. run out From left to right: Daria Zhukova, Aaron and Arkady Abramovichi
Leah Lou Abramovich, 8
Leah, born in April 2013, bears a strong resemblance to her mother. She attends the same school as Aaron, and Dasha frequently takes the children to museums to impart her knowledge of art. It's said that the lives of Abramovich and Zhukova's children follow a strict routine, adhered to not only at school but also at home. Dasha mentioned that she puts the kids to bed by seven in the evening.
Leia, who was born in April 2013, is very similar to her mother. She goes to the same school as Aaron, and Dasha regularly takes the children to museums, passing on her knowledge of art to them. They say that the life of the children of Abramovich and Zhukova is built in accordance with a strict routine, which is followed not only at school, but also at home. Dasha mentioned that she puts the kids to bed almost at seven in the evening.