He became an orphan aged three but went on to become one of the world’s richest men.
Recently, Roman Abramovich’s links to Vladimir Putin have stripped him of his businesses and reputation – and now his spokesman says he suffered suspected poisoning at peace talks in Ukraine.
So who is he?
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich was born in Saratov in south-western Russia, a few hundred miles from the border with Ukraine, in 1966.
His mother, Irina, died of blood poisoning when he was one – and his father died two years later after an accident with a construction crane.
After that Mr Abramovich was raised by relatives, spending time in Komi, in north-west Russia, where money was tight and winter temperatures low.
He left school at 16, worked as a mechanic and served in the Red Army before selling plastic toys in Moscow.
He moved on to perfumes and deodorants, building up his wealth as greater openness under Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev allowed more scope for entrepreneurs.
Source: BBC
