Even after sanctions attempted to contain him, Roman Abramovich still manages his fortune with a quiet precision. According to Forbes, his net worth in 2025 is a robust $9.2 billion, far from crumbling under pressure. That number represents strategic adaptation across continents, industries, and legal systems in addition to legacy wealth.
The billionaire who made Chelsea FC a major force in the world has now reorganized his holdings while maintaining a very low level of public visibility. Even though Chelsea’s sale for about $5 billion in 2022 signaled the end of an era, his economic influence persisted. He continued to build wealth, albeit in a more covert manner.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich |
| Date of Birth | October 24, 1966 |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $9.2 billion (Forbes); $8.13 billion (Bloomberg) |
| Main Sources of Wealth | Steel (Evraz), Investments, Past Chelsea FC Ownership |
| Citizenship | Russia, Israel, Portugal |
| Notable Roles | Governor of Chukotka (2000–2008), Owner of Millhouse Capital |
| Sanctions | UK, EU, and other countries (since 2022) |
| Major Asset Sale | Sold Chelsea FC in 2022 for ~$5 billion |
| Reference | Forbes Profile |
Despite being entangled in regulatory complexity, Abramovich made sure his core holdings remained productive by holding stakes in industrial giants like Evraz and Norilsk Nickel. Despite being less well-known, his private equity investments are said to have produced strong returns, driven by regional market trends, infrastructure, and energy that mostly disregard Western politics.
His financial channels have been subtly rearranged through Millhouse Capital. Often underappreciated, this holding company continues to be extremely versatile, handling everything from boutique tech deals to industrial shares. Its adaptability has been especially helpful as he has shifted his focus to less-examined areas, such as Turkey and Central Asia.
Instead of being chaotic, Abramovich’s global movement has been deliberate. He obtained Portuguese and Israeli citizenships after losing his base in the UK, both of which offered short-term refuge before relocating to Istanbul. In addition to its size, his Bosphorus-facing Istanbul estate has garnered attention for small infractions, such as unpermitted renovations, that continue to suggest his unwillingness to play small.
Although living in Turkey might seem like a step down from his former social circles in London, it provides access and protection. He still leads a comfortable life, surrounded by security, staff, and advisors, in spite of the sanctions. An otherwise elusive figure is made more relatable by the one small, strangely endearing detail that he prefers Turkish lamb, particularly tenderloin, served privately.
I recall reading a recent article on Bloomberg that followed Abramovich’s wealth with a level of forensic curiosity. I was more impressed by his strategies’ extraordinary effectiveness than by the numbers. Every financial retreat appeared to be followed right away by a repositioning—a rotation of assets rather than a surrender. His ability to maintain economic clout while being marginalized in politics is remarkably instructive.
Abramovich hasn’t said much in public. However, he is navigating legal negotiations regarding the Chelsea sale proceeds behind the scenes. The money is still frozen, but the new Labour government in Britain has given a clear warning: give up your claim or risk a drawn-out legal battle. Wealth can be both immobile and relentlessly mobile, as demonstrated by that standoff, which is representative of post-sanction diplomacy.
It’s important to keep in mind that Abramovich is an operator in addition to being wealthy. During Russia’s turbulent privatization wave, he made his first fortune by acquiring Sibneft. He had financial firepower and a plan for handling volatility thanks to that asset, which was later sold to Gazprom for $13 billion. Since then, every significant decision—managing Chukotka, making football investments, and purchasing artwork—reflects a person wired for both nuance and scale.
Notably, his charitable contributions to Chukotka, which are estimated to have totaled over $2.5 billion over the years, went beyond simple charity. It provided administrative stability, localized goodwill, and political clout. Even today, enemies find it more difficult to destroy his legacy because of that kind of embedded support.
Abramovich continues to be a study in strategic survival as political environments and wealth rankings change. Even though his wealth no longer gets him tickets to prestigious English events or front-page sports headlines, it does give him something perhaps more valuable: freedom. the capacity to relocate, finance, and rebuild without seeking authorization.
The sanctions did not break down, but they also did not fail. They did not completely block his path, but they did narrow it. In fact, Abramovich may have unintentionally increased the efficiency of his empire—making it less dependent on Western systems and more firmly rooted in global diversification—by streamlining his operations and consolidating holdings.
This Roman Abramovich isn’t running football teams or hosting galas in the art world. However, he continues to influence capital flows, navigating through geopolitical haze with the steady hands of someone who has endured worse. Even though his life is now characterized by moderation, his financial structure is still noticeably better—slowly expanding, constantly changing, and incredibly resilient.
