He is arguably the most famous Russian in the world today and while many people outside of the country couldn’t even name the President of Russia, everyone knows who Roman Abrahamovich is. He is globally renowned as a Russian billionaire and Chairman of Chelsea football club but what do we really know about this most notorious man?
Early Days
Like many Russians of his generation, the young Abramovich had an austere upbringing and was an orphan by the age of four. Raised by an Uncle’s family, he first lived in the remote region of Ukhta, in the Arctic Circle before moving to Moscow.
There are conflicting stories regarding his educational establishments but it is widely acknowledged that he developed an interest in business at an early age.
First Ventures
Roman Abramovich’s first foray into the world of business showed no signs of the great wealth that was to follow. His initial dealings involved the sale of plastic ducks from his Moscow apartment and while there is no record of how successful this was, 
he was quickly on his way to his first venture into the world of oil.
The multi billion pound oil business that forms the heart of the Roman Abramovich biography had humble and possibly dubious beginnings. While stationed on army service, the young private began his career by selling stolen gasoline back to officers in his unit.
His long term army friend Nikolai Panteleimonov recalled the time when his colleague would siphon tiny amounts of fuel from staff vehicles – small quantities so that no-one would notice – and then sell it back way below market price.
Panteleimonov stated that even in those early days, Abramovich had a reputation for making money from thin air and he was quickly called upon to ‘help out’ his officers on a number of issues.
On leaving the army, he continued to work as a street trader and his manufacture of plastic toys began to increase. By now, Abramovich had started to make a success of everything he became involved in.
The new Russian era
The story of Roman Abramovic takes a further turn as Mikhail Gorbachev ushered in a new era of Glasnost and Perestroika which led to the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Abramovich was able to take his business dealings out of the seedy underworld and into the public domain and from there the great wealth began to multiply. While his oil business underpinned everything, he began expanding into other areas as he began to acquire more companies.
The Chelsea Story
The Roman Abramovich biography is brought up to date with his involvement with Chelsea football club which began when one of his companies acquired the business.
As the new owner, he took a hands-on approach and transformed the club from under-achievers to one of the most successful sides in world football. He demands much from his team and his staff and recent manager Carlo Ancelotti is the latest to lose his job after failing to return success.
Roman Abramovich runs Chelsea in the same way that he has undertaken all his business dealings: With ruthless efficiency and determined entrepreneurialism that has made him one of the richest men of all time.
