Lisin Replaces Prokhorov as Russia's Richest Man

Mechanic turned steel baron Vladimir Lisin (right) has replaced Mikhail Prokhorov as Russia's richest man with a fortune of $18.8 billion. Russian magazine Finans just released its annual ranking of the country's oligarchs, showing that Prokhorov, known for his shenanigans over the Villa Leopolda, has slipped into second place while Roman Abramovich languishes in third.

All three men did very well for themselves last year. Lisin, 53, more than doubled his wealth from a year earlier to overtake Prokhorov, whose own fortune grew 27 percent to $17.85 billion, and Abramovich, whose estimated wealth is $17 billion, an increase of 22 percent. As my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported last week Russia gained 28 new billionaires in the last year.

The somewhat secretive Lisin is a keen hunter and a connoisseur of Cuban cigars. He owns a 16th century castle in the Scottish Highlands with 13 bedrooms on 3,300 acres ideal for grouse shooting, deer stalking and game fishing. Lisin's name means "fox" in Russian, and he is well known in his homeland for always staying on the Kremlin's good side.