About
Russian oligarch who was nicknamed "Putin's Chef" because his restaurant and catering businesses hosted dinners with Vladimir Putin and foreign dignitaries. He was said to be a close confidante of Putin. His companies were accused of interference in the 2016 and 2018 U.S. elections. He spent nine years as a convict in Soviet Union prisons.
Before Fame
He was born in Leningrad and raised by a single mother, due to his father's early death. His stepfather was a ski instructor and trained him; he graduated from a prestigious athletics boarding school in 1977. In 1979, he was arrested for stealing. In 1981, he was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for robbery, fraud and involving teenagers in crime. He was given early release in 1990. After his release from prison, he and his step father began to establish highly successful businesses.
Trivia
He controlled the Wagner Group, a mercenary group operating out of Africa, Syria, and Ukraine. He admitted he founded the group specifically to support the Russian war with Ukraine. His companies and associates face economic sanctions and criminal charges in the United States. In February of 2021, he was added to the FBI's wanted list.
Family Life
He married business owner and pharmacist Lyubov Valentinovna Prigozhina. They have a daughter named Polina and a son named Pavel. His mother was Violetta Prigozhina, a former teacher and doctor. All of his family members have been sanctioned in other countries in connection with his crimes.
Associated With
He admitted to interfering with the 2016 Presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
