Who Is Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a Russian businessman who was once the richest man in Russia and the head of Yukos, one of the world's largest oil companies. He was born on June 26, 1963, and built his fortune during the chaotic 1990s Russian privatization wave. He was arrested in 2003, convicted of fraud and tax evasion, and spent 10 years in a Russian prison before being pardoned in December 2013. He left Russia immediately and now lives in London, where he continues to manage his remaining assets and political activities Forbes profile.
Khodorkovsky founded Open Russia, a political organization that promotes democratic reforms in Russia, and he remains one of the most prominent Kremlin critics in exile. His story is closely tied to the rise and fall of Yukos, which was dismantled after his arrest and ultimately acquired by the state-backed oil company Rosneft. He has repeatedly stated that his prosecution was politically motivated and that the Yukos breakup was a form of state seizure of private property.
Khodorkovsky Net Worth and Yukos Empire
At the peak of his wealth in the early 2000s, Khodorkovsky was estimated to be worth around $15 billion, making him the first Russian billionaire and one of the richest people in the world Forbes profile. His fortune was built almost entirely on Yukos, which produced roughly 20 percent of Russian oil output at its height. After his arrest and the subsequent bankruptcy auction of Yukos assets, the company was carved up and its core production arm was absorbed by Rosneft, which is now the largest publicly traded oil company in Russia and one of the biggest in the world.
Today, Khodorkovsky's personal net worth is estimated to be in the range of several hundred million dollars, a fraction of his peak wealth, because most of his Yukos holdings were seized or sold under controversial circumstances. He has maintained that the original Yukos assets were acquired through legitimate privatization and that the state takeover violated Russian law and international investment treaties. He continues to pursue legal claims and investment activities outside Russia, focusing on technology and media ventures.
Current Status and Political Influence
Life in Exile and Open Russia
Khodorkovsky has been living in London since his release from prison, where he continues to run Open Russia and engage in political advocacy. He has publicly supported anti-war movements in Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has called for a negotiated settlement and democratic transition in Russia. He remains a vocal critic of the Kremlin and regularly publishes commentary on Russian politics and economics through media channels and social platforms.
Despite his reduced financial footprint compared to his Yukos days, Khodorkovsky retains significant influence among Russian opposition figures and Western policymakers. He has funded various civil society projects, legal defense funds, and educational initiatives aimed at promoting rule of law in Russia. His case remains a reference point in discussions about the relationship between Russian oligarchs, the state, and the rule of law.