Mikhail Prokhorov

Net Worth: $ 5.4 billion

Primary Source: Norilsk Nickel (quote), metals
Age: 39
Marital Status: bachelor

This Moscow State Financial Institute graduate worked in one of the big Soviet foreign trade banks and teamed up with Vladimir Potanin to take over the assets of two foreign trade banks being liquidated. The venture, later named Interros, grew through the 1990s to include metals, engineering, agriculture and media; since 2001, Prokhorov has been chairman of its most valuable holding, metals conglomerate Norilsk Nickel. he has a slightly larger stake than his longtime partner. A bachelor, Prokhorov is often featured in gossip columns about blow-out parties on the French Riviera. But then it's back to work at his metals plant on the Arctic Circle.