Suleyman Kerimov Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Suleyman Kerimov is a Russian oligarch, investor and former politician from Dagestan best known for amassing a massive fortune through commodity, banking and gold-mining deals — and for his influential role in business and politics.

Introduction

Born on March 12, 1966, Suleyman Abusaidovich Kerimov emerged from modest origins in Derbent, Dagestan, to become one of Russia’s wealthiest individuals. His estimated net worth has fluctuated over time, with a 2025 valuation placing his family fortune around US$16.4 billion. 
Publicly available information about his relationships remains limited and largely private; while rumors have circulated about past connections, there is no confirmed recent partner publicly declared.

Quick Facts

From Dagestan Roots to Billionaire Realm

Suleyman Kerimov’s story begins in Derbent, Dagestan — a modest upbringing that framed his early ambitions. After studying, he earned a degree in accounting and economics from Dagestan State University in 1989.  His first real job was at a local electronics plant, where he was paid meagerly and lived in a shared workers’ hostel alongside his wife. 

But the collapse of the Soviet Union and the chaotic privatizations of the 1990s presented opportunity. Kerimov began investing in distressed assets — a risky but potentially transformative strategy. His early experiences nurtured a daring mindset: to spot undervalued firms and bet on their rebound.

Defining moments in Suleyman Kerimov’s journey include:

• Securing a controlling stake in a former state-owned oil-trading company and transforming it into a diversified investment group. 

• Leveraging loans from state-owned banks to acquire major positions in energy and resource companies. 

• Transitioning into politics — becoming a member of the State Duma in 1999, and later a long-serving senator for Dagestan in the upper chamber of Russia’s parliament.

This combination of political access and bold investing laid the groundwork for his meteoric rise.

The Core Pillars of Suleyman Kerimov’s Wealth

The core pillars of Suleyman Kerimov’s wealth include:

• Gold mining — Through majority stakes (often via family-controlled structures) in companies like Polyus Gold, which is among Russia’s largest gold producers. 

• Banking and energy holdings — Past investments in big firms such as Sberbank and Gazprom helped cement his financial base in the 2000s. 

• Distressed assets and tactical buyouts — Early career strategy focused on acquiring undervalued or faltering enterprises during Russia’s economic transition, then restructuring them for profit.

These pillars formed a diversified foundation — spanning precious metals, banking, energy, and opportunistic restructuring.

Relationships & Family Life

Publicly, Suleyman Kerimov keeps his private life guarded. There have been past rumors and media stories linking him to high-profile women, but no credible or verified information about a current spouse or partner has emerged in well-sourced outlets. For example, some tabloid-style stories mention alleged affairs, but none are corroborated by reliable journalism, making them speculative at best. 

Key insights into Suleyman Kerimov’s relationships and personal life:

• He appears to guard his private life carefully, with few confirmed public associations.

• Despite frequent tabloid speculation, there’s no verifiable evidence of a current publicly acknowledged partner.

• His family, particularly through his son and heirs, plays a key role in his business affairs — assets are often held through family-linked structures. 

This discretion aligns with his overall low public profile beyond business and political activity.

Beyond Business: Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Suleyman Kerimov leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Ownership of a villa in Cap d’Antibes, France — a sign of his international lifestyle and wealth.

• A history of high-profile assets: once owning luxury cars, and reportedly even a private jet and superyacht (though such assets have been subject to scrutiny, especially after sanctions). 

• Philanthropic and charitable commitment through the Suleyman Kerimov Foundation — funding religious infrastructure, educational efforts, and supporting cultural or social projects.

These facets show that his wealth has often been coupled with deliberate, sometimes discreet, lifestyle choices and public-facing philanthropy.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

It’s important to understand that estimates of Suleyman Kerimov’s net worth vary depending on market fluctuations, asset valuations, and the public visibility of holdings. Analysts typically rely on a mixture of public equity stakes, asset valuations, and information about offshore trusts to approximate his fortune.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Because many holdings are routed through trusts, offshore companies, and family-controlled entities, publicly visible valuations capture only a portion of the real financial picture. This opacity underscores why estimates can swing significantly.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Suleyman Kerimov occupies a complex place in public perception. On one hand, he’s seen as a self-made billionaire who leveraged Russia’s turbulent post-Soviet transition to build a diversified fortune. His story — modest roots to mega-wealth — often draws admiration for entrepreneurial grit and financial acumen.

On the other hand, his long-standing political ties as a former lower-house parliamentarian and current senator — combined with ownership stakes in strategic industries — place him squarely in the category of Russia’s powerful oligarchs. This status has attracted scrutiny, especially from international media and regulatory bodies. 

Additionally, his philanthropic efforts — via his foundation — contribute to a softer public image. Support for religious institutions, social infrastructure, and educational initiatives create a contrast to his high-stakes business dealings, projecting a persona that combines wealth, influence, and social responsibility.

Whether viewed as a shrewd tycoon or a controversial power broker, Kerimov’s legacy is bound to the turbulent shifts of Russia’s economy and politics — and to the broader narrative of wealth, power, and reinvention.

Conclusion

Suleyman Kerimov’s journey — from Derbent in Dagestan to the ranks of global billionaires — is a testament to strategic thinking, opportunistic investing, and political navigation. Born on March 12, 1966, his success is encapsulated in an estimated net worth of US$16.4 billion, derived from gold mining, banking, energy and diversified holdings.

Though details about his personal relationships remain private, his business legacy, philanthropic footprint, and public image underscore a life shaped by ambition, discretion, and influence. For anyone studying modern oligarchs — or the intersections of politics, wealth, and power — Suleyman Kerimov’s life remains a compelling example of how far vision and timing can take an individual.