Abramovich reveals his riches in election bid

BILLIONAIRE Roman Abramovich owns 16 homes, including mansions and apartments, in four countries, and shares in seven companies, but no yachts nor airplanes, according to an official income declaration.

The declaration also says that Abramovich holds €84.5 million in cash in 22 bank accounts.

Russia’s election commission released the details as required for next month’s parliamentary election in the Eastern province of Chukotka, where Abramovich is in line to be a parliamentary deputy.

The sums are a trifle compared with the billionaire’s total wealth, which was estimated at €13 billion earlier this week by Finans magazine.

Abramovich, who made his fortune in the oil industry, has acquired considerable fame for spectacular spending. Media reports said over the years that his ship fleet includes the Eclipse, the world’s longest motor yacht at 164 metres, and the 115m Pelorus.

He is also known to fly in a Boeing 767 wide-body liner and also helicopters that land on his boats.

But these items do not appear on Abramovich’s declaration published for next month’s regional elections. Instead, it lists under “means of transport” seven cars, including two BMWs and one Mercedes limousine.

His spokesman John Mann said the list was fully compliant with the law.

“This declaration is in full accordance with the questionnaire that must be answered by each candidate,” he said, adding that the questionnaire for the candidate does not specifically ask about boats and planes.

The declaration does not provide information on the real estate holdings other than their size and location, but still indicates that Abramovich’s property ranges from a 283-square- metre abode in Anadyr, capital of Chukotka, to a massive 2,421-square-metre residence in the Moscow region. Apartments in Britain and the US are also mentioned.

Among the most valuable are Abramovich’s French properties, which show up in the declaration as three items with 372, 590 and 910 square meters each. The list includes Chateau de la Croe in the Riviera, once home to the Duke of Windsor after his abdication from the British throne in 1936.

In 2009, Abramovich made headlines when he bought a 70-acre estate on St Barthelemy, a French island in the Caribbean, for reportedly €66m, making it one of the most expensive private homes ever sold.

The list of his companies ranges from the Chelsea Football Club, bought by Abramovich in 2003, to obscure holding companies.

His most recent acquisition was purchasing former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres for €60m.

Roman’s little empire

Roman Abramovich: Has €30.27m tied up in shares.

Abramovich’s declaration is his first since a 1999 filing when he claimed he earned just €302,886 the previous year, did not own the keys to any property, and was driving an old Lada. Barring his undeclared collection of jets and yachts (a Boeing 767-300 worth €121 million and the world’s largest private yacht, the 164m Eclipse, which cost about €800m), Roman’s Empire consists of:

Seven properties in Britain, two in the US, three in France, and four in Russia. Estimated total value of property portfolio: €356m.

His cars include: BMW 760Li, 2010; BMW 760Li X, 2007; Mercedes S600L AUTO, 2006; Mercedes VIANO 3.5 AMBIENTE XLONG, 2007; Mercedes S500L AUTO, 2009; VW GOLF Match FSI 115A, 2007; Range Rover Vogue V8 AUTO, 2008. Estimated total value of car collection: €772,000

Cash: €84.5m spread across 22 separate bank accounts and €30.27m tied up in shares.

Playthings: Chelsea Football Club worth €478m.

Total worth: €13 billion