Andrei Melnichenko

Age: 34
Fortune: self made
Source: Banking, energy

Country Of Citizenship: Russia
Residence: Moscow, Russia, Europe & Russia
Industry: Diversified
Marital Status: married, no children

Moscow State University of Railway Transport, Drop Out

Son of a respected Soviet physicist, Melnichenko studied physics at prestigious Moscow State University. Dropped out in 1991 and with some schoolmates, sold computers and established a chain of currency-exchange booths; in 1993 founded MDM Bank, which would later handle the accounts of oil tycoon Roman Abramovich and other businessmen. In 2000, teamed up with metals trader Sergei Popov and began accumulating an industrial empire that now includes chemicals, coal mines, steel mills and a 6% stake in Russia's electric monopoly. Melnichenko is no longer an eligible bachelor; in September 2005 he married Serbian model Alexandra Kokotovich in a lavish ceremony featuring performances by Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera.