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Abramovich's Girlfriend, Sharapova and Sexy Spy Make List of Russia's Most Beautiful Women

In honor of International Women's Day, Russian news service Russia Beyond the Headlines (RBTH) has anointed the 12 most beautiful women in Russia. The list includes supermodel Natalia Vodianova (above), Roman Abramovich's gorgeous girlfriend Dasha Zhukova and tennis star Maria Sharapova as well as sexy spy Anna Chapman, who was kicked out of the U.S. last summer following espionage charges. Here's the full rundown of RBTH's Russian beauties; it's unclear whether they're ranked in order of pulchritude, but if so Anna Chapman clocks in high at #3, Vodianova is #4, Sharapova is #5 and Zhukova #6:

1. Alina Kabayeva - Retired world rhythmic gymnastics champion and current politician.

2. Tatyana Golikova - Russian Minister of Health and Social Development.

3. Anna Chapman - Modern Mata Hari, beautiful former spy and current TV host.

4. Natalia Vodianova - Model for international brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Calvin Klein, and Valentino, and a known philanthropist.

5. Irina Shaykhlislamova - A top model who has also captured the heart of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's top football players. [cont'd]

Gallery: Most Beautiful Russians

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Tags: abramovich, Anna Chapman, beatiful+women, beatifulwomen, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldos girlfriend, cristiano+ronaldo+irina, cristianoronaldoirina, Dasha Zhukova, espionage, irina+shaykhlislamova, irinashaykhlislamova, Maria Sharapova, models, most beautiful Russians, most beautiful women, Natalia Vodianova, politician, Roman Abramovich, ronaldo, Russia, Russian beauties, Russian billionaires, Russian models, sexy Russians, sharapova, spies, supermodel, tennis, tennis star, women

Continue reading “Abramovich's Girlfriend, Sharapova and Sexy Spy Make List of Russia's Most Beautiful Women”

Russian Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko Buys $12 Million Central Park Pad

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

Russian Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko Buys $12 Million Central Park Pad

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, owner of the eye-popping $300 million megayacht 'A' (above) designed by Philippe Starck, has splashed out $12.2 million on a penthouse pied-à-terre in Central Park. It's the first New York property for Melnichenko, at 38 one of the world's youngest billionaires, and his model wife Aleksandra, the Wall St. Journal reports, added to a real estate portfolio that includes apartments and estates in Moscow, France and the U.K. The 2,800-sq.-ft., two-bedroom duplex has two balconies, a terrace facing Central Park, and an entrance gallery with 24-foot ceilings. As we reported back in January Melnichenko, who amassed a $4.4 billion fortune in fertilizer and banking, entertained Martha Stewart, Demi Moore and Aston Kutcher on his yacht in St. Barth's over New Year's during Roman Abramovich's bash.

Tags: Andrey Melnichenko, billionaire, Central Park, mega+yacht, megayacht, New York, oligarch, penthouse, Philippe Starck, real estate, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Russian billionaires, superyacht, wealth, yacht

Abramovich Moves Down on Russia's Rich List

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Oligarch Roman Abramovich has taken a major tumble on this year's list of Russia's richest men and now languishes in fifth place. Russia's Finans magazine puts Abramovich's wealth at $17.1 billion, up only $100 million from a year ago despite a strong recovery for the Russian economy that saw rival tycoons cash in big time. Steel magnate Vladimir Lisin captured the top spot once again with a $28.3 billion fortune, up from $18.8 billion last year. Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the New Jersey Nets, makes the list at number two with $22.7 billion, while Alisher Usmanov, part-owner of Arsenal Football Club, clocks in at number three with $19.9 billion. In fourth place, edging out Abramovich, is another steel tycoon, Oleg Deripaska, with $19 billion. Meanwhile there are 37 newly-minted billionaires in Russia this year, bringing the total to 114 up from 77 in 2010.

Gallery: Russia's Richest Men

#4 - Oleg Deripaska (with Putin at left)

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Tags: abramovich, billionaire, Mikhail Prokhorov, Oleg Deripaska, oligarch, richest, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Russian billionaires, Vladimir Lisin, wealth

Russian President Medvedev Buys $42 Million Megayacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Russian President Medvedev Buys $42 Million Megayacht

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has spent $42 million on a secondhand superyacht complete with whirlpool baths, an artificial waterfall and a cinema. The 177 foot-long explorer-style Sirius (above), above, was built in 2009 and has accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms along with 12 crew. The Kremlin bought the yacht from Turkey's Proteksan-Turquoise shipyard as a replacement for the current presidential yacht, which is due to be decommissioned, the London Telegraph reports. The craft's other luxury features include a deck Jacuzzi for 6, spacious sunbathing areas, a gym, a sheltered lounge area and an alfresco dining area for 14 with barbecue and bar. Ironically, Medvedev has been critical of Russians flaunting their wealth.

Sirius can reach a maximum speed of 18 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar 3512B diesel engines, each rated for 1,911 horsepower. Her range is 5000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, making a transatlantic trip possible. Kremlin spokesman Viktor Khrenikov was quoted in the Russian press to the effect that the yacht will be given a presidential upgrade at an unspecified cost, no doubt with some Abramovich-style security features as well. "Everything necessary for a president for work and relaxation has been thought of," Khrenikov says, noting, "The president could use her during the 2014 Olympics [in the Black Sea port of Sochi]."

Gallery: Dmitry Medvedev's Superyacht 'Sirius'

Tags: Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin, politician, politics, Russia, superyacht, yacht, yachtspotting

Audi Wins World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

Audi's team of aces beat out the Beluga Vodka squad from Russia to capture the World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen the other day after a fierce battle. The conditions at Aspen's Wagner Park were not ideal this year; thin snow cover prevented organizers from being able to properly pack and groom the field with heavy equipment, the Aspen Times reports. "Players spent much of the day at a standstill, trying to dig the ball out of the snow or muffing shots as the half-buried ball refused to budge, even after a hard strike," the paper notes. "Several point-blank scoring opportunities were lost as players were unable to get a clean strike." Bombardier Jets' team took third place. Meanwhile, competition is heating up for the St. Moritz Polo World Cup (above) taking place later this month in Switzerland, which will no doubt offer better conditions.

Tags: Aspen, Audi, Bombardier, equestrian, horses, polo, Russia, Snow Polo, sports, St. Moritz, winter sports

Dartz's Racy Take on Rolls' 'Spirit of Ecstasy'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Irreverent Russian SUV makers Dartz have already proved themselves masters of mixing the grotesque with the extravagant – you might recall their $1.5 million gold and diamond-trimmed armored truck upholstered in whale penis leather than sent Pamela Anderson into a tizzy. Now Dartz, which also customizes ultra-luxury vehicles from other marques, has come out with a tongue-in-cheek version of Rolls-Royce's famous mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The Dartz version, which is gold plated, is dubbed the Spirit of Xtasy and features a copulating couple, the male member of which bears a striking resemblance to nutty Dartz founder Leonard F. Yankelovich. Dartz is mounting the saucy statuettes on Rolls-Royce Phantoms in place of the original, along with other modifications. The folks at Rolls' UK headquarters in Goodwood will no doubt not be amused.

Tags: custom cars, Dartz, gold, luxury cars, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Russia, SUV

Continue reading “Dartz's Racy Take on Rolls' 'Spirit of Ecstasy'”

Hunt with Eagles on Dunhill's Luxury Adventure Tour

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Famed London luxury goods firm Dunhill is collaborating with UK adventure travel firm Black Tomato on a new series of excursions replicating a famed Dunhill journey in 1930. In that year Dunhill's Clement Court traveled overland from Paris to Japan to secure the very finest Japanese lacquered goods for the firm. Dunhill and Black Tomato are now offering modern versions of Court's epic journey, with appropriately luxurious accommodations and adventuresome activities along the way. The excursions are designed to demonstrate that "luxury is something more discerning, more elusive and more unique than just a price tag", as they put it.

The concept of discovery and exploration has been a hallmark of the Dunhill brand since 1893, as reflected in its most recent collections. The luxury packages are priced from about $4,500 and include destinations such as Paris, Moscow, Mongolia and Japan. Experiences include a private tour of the Louvre in Paris while the museum is closed, a flight in a Russian fighter jet above Moscow, learning eagle hunting in Mongolia (above) and bathing in Japan's oldest mineral hot springs. Guests can also opt to recreate Court's entire journey, including 10 days in a private cabin on the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian railway, starting at about $44,000.

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Tags: Black Tomato, Dunhill, hunting, Japan, London, Louvre, luxury goods, luxury travel, Mongolia, Moscow, Paris, Russia, train, travel, UK

World's Seventh Largest Yacht Raided in Prostitution Bust, Trump Associate Arrested

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

The incredible 446-ft. Savarona (above), the seventh largest yacht in the world, was the site of a dramatic helicopter raid by police off the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey the other day. New York-based property developer Tevfik Arif, a sometime business partner of Donald Trump, is being questioned by Turkish police as a suspected organizer of an international ring of high-priced prostitutes that operated on the yacht, Bloomberg reports. Built by Blohm + Voss in 1931 for an American heiress, the superyacht is owned by the Republic of Turkey and was available for charter at $50,000 per day. The lavishly refurbished yacht features accommodations for 34 guests with 260 tons of polished marble, a swimming pool, turkish bath, 282-foot gold-trimmed grand staircase, movie theater, library and helipad. Celebrities who have stayed aboard her include Prince Charles, the Sultan of Brunei, Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone, Hugh Grant and Tom Cruise.

In addition to Arif, businessmen from Russia and high-level government officials were taken into custody aboard the Savarona by Turkish military police following a seven-month investigation into an international prostitution ring, Bloomberg reports. The men paid $3,000 to $10,000 per night to have sex at sea with Russian and Ukrainian fashion models, some of whom were underage. 10 Russian and Ukrainian women suspected of prostitution were also detained in the operation. When police arrived at the yacht around midday they found everyone in bed. Arif's lawyer Engin Agyuzlu stated that his client is the victim of a "smear campaign" and will "vigorously defend himself in any court of law." Arif is chairman of Bayrock Group LLC, a property group that partnered with the Trump Organization to build the SoHo Hotel Condominium and a Trump Tower in Florida.

UPDATE at 6:00pm ET on May 16, 2012: Tevfik Arif was acquitted of all charges in April 2011, according to The Guardian.

Gallery: The Superyacht 'Savarona'

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Tags: Blohm + Voss, crime, Donald Trump, Mediterranean, models, New York, prostitution, real estate, Russia, Savarona, sex, superyacht, Tevfik Arif, Turkey, wealth, yacht

Maradona Scores $500,000 For Charity With Hublot

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Hublot's new charity spectacle series involves soccer and "giving." The first such event was held in New York City where members from the UK's Manchester United team attempted to kick soccer balls into small targets (I wrote about that here). The accuracy of the kicks defined the amount of money Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot was to donate to charity.

As the first event was successful enough, Hublot did it again. This time in Moscow, Russia featuring legendary Argentinean 'football' player Diego Maradona. Maradona is a well-known Hublot watch lover, and famously wears a watch on each wrist. Maradona was faced with kicking a soccer ball at 10 targets of various sizes. Each had a dollar amount value, and if Maradona hit all 10 targets, Hublot would donate a full $1,000,000 to the Raisa Gorbacheva Memorial Institute for Children Hematology and Transplantation. Maradona nicknamed the event his "Russian Challenge."

Wearing his duo of Hublot watches, Maradona aimed for the targets at a distance of 10 meters in front of a public audience. Maradona raised a total of $500,000 for the children's charity, and hit the smallest of all targets with the ball - which carried a value of $300,000. In celebration of the event and for Russia's Hublot watch fans - Hublot will also release a limited edition watch to commemorate Maradona's "Russian Challenge." It will be known as the Hublot Maradona Gold & Ceramic watch, and will be limited to just 100 pieces. The watch will be in polished red gold with a black ceramic bezel. The dial will be in black, and bear Maradona's signature in a blue. Look for more details on this limited edition piece soon.

The real winners here are the charities that benefit from events like this designed to offer PR pushes to Hublot, as well as the brand's fans who enjoy seeing Hublot active in the media.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: charity, hublot, maradona, moscow, russia, watch, watches

Abramovich Could Be Moscow's Next Mayor

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Russian news service RIA Novosti reports that Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich could be appointed the next mayor of Moscow, an incredibly influential position, following the incumbent's ouster.

Russian president Dimitri Medvedev gave Yuri Luzhkov his walking papers this week in the wake of a long-simmering feud. The job is unlikely to be maintained in its present form and may be divided into two posts to avoid a repeat of Luzhkov's power concentration.

If the free-spending 43-year-old billionaire does get the job – though we're not sure how he'd have the time given his many other interests, from football clubs to megayachts – it wouldn't be his first foray into politics.

Abramovich served as governor of Chukotka (an impoverished region in the Russian Far East) from 2000 to 2008, and was credited with improved living standards, restoring schools and housing and attracting investment, RAI notes, and he is currently the chairman of the Chukotka Autonomous District Duma.

Tags: Dimitri Medvedev, Moscow, politics, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Russian billionaires

Abramovich Building Private $30 Million Nightclub in London

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is building himself an exclusive new $30 million private nightclub underneath his football club's stadium in London to entertain girlfriend Dasha Zhukova's (above) chic friends. Work on the luxuriously appointed space, located below Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium with capacity for up to 500 guests, is at an advanced stage and could be complete by December the London Evening Standard reports. The venue, in a space formerly occupied by Purple nightclub which closed in 2007, features a 13-ft. high waterfall that cost $250,000 to install as well as a hydraulically-operated stage for private performances by Abramovich's favorite artists including Gwen Stefani, Amy Winehouse and Kings of Leon. The interior will feature a "gritty industrial design motif" with a lavish green room for performers and private booths with plasma TV screens, the paper reports, noting Abramovich got the idea for the club after touring exclusive night spots in the U.S.

Tags: Amy Winehouse, Dasha Zhukova, Gwen Stefani, London, nightclub, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Russian billionaires, sports

Abramovich's Daughter Named One of Russia's Most Eligible Women with a $3.4 Billion Fortune

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Russian business magazine Finans has named oligarch Roman Abramovich's 17-year-old daughter Anna (right) one of Russia's most eligible women, citing her $3.4 billion fortune. Anna, who lives with her mother Irina, the billionaire's second wife, in London, will inherit the cash as part of the oligarch's divorce settlement. Her father threw her a $600,000 Sweet Sixteen party last year.

Anna has four siblings and a half-brother, born this year to Abramovich's gorgeous girlfriend Dasha Zhukova. The Australian reports that Abramovich is displeased at the magazine's coverage of his daughter. Back in May we reported that Anna had been partying hard in London with Will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas at posh nightclub Whisky Mist.

Anna's no Paris Hilton however, nor is she Russia's biggest heiress; she's worth less than Anastasia Potanina, 26, daughter of mining magnate Vladimir Potanin, who's expected to inherit $3.8 billion. Seven young women are included in the list in total, with combined fortunes worth over $17 billion. Of course exact details are a closely guarded secret.

Tags: anna abramovich, billionaire, Dasha Zhukova, heiress, London, oligarch, Paris Hilton, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Russian billionaires, socialite

Epicures Rejoice - UN Lifts Beluga Caviar Ban

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

The world's finest beluga caviar will be available once again following an agreement by five producer countries on export quotas for the luxe delicacy, the United Nations' watchdog on endangered species has announced. Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan agreed at a meeting in Tehran on new quotas which will be in effect through February 2011, the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species said in a statement. A temporary ban on wild caviar was imposed in 2001 due to a depletion of stocks amid high levels of poaching and illegal trade in the Caspian Sea. In 2002, countries sharing a stock of sturgeon automatically had zero quotas unless they reached a consensus on a sustainable level of exports. Trade in beluga was halted last year as the countries failed to agree on quotas. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan still have zero quotas, but Iran can now produce 800 kg, Kazakhstan 1,500 kg, and Russia 700 kg. Expect it to cost a small fortune if you're lucky enough to get your hands on some.

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Tags: beluga caviar, Caspian Sea, caviar, delicacy, endangered species, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, sturgeon, United Nations

Ulysse Nardin Spasskaya Tower Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

For proud Russians living outside of Russia, Ulysse Nardin offers this new limited edition Spasskaya Tower watch. Why for Russians outside of Russia? Because historically, limited edition watches made in honor of a certainly country or region, are almost exclusively purchased by people living outside of that place. Spasskaya Tower has a very interesting history. Originally built back in 1491, the tower is one of the Kremlin Towers in Moscow now. Overlooking Red Square, Spasskaya has been part of the scene in Russian history for a long, long time. In honor of the tower, Ulysse Nardin transformed their Maxi Marine into a wrist watch version of the tower clock. The hands and hour indicators match the clock perfectly, while the rest of the watch is all Maxi Marine Diver.

Case is 43mm wide in 18k rose gold (WR 200m), and the watch contained a Ulysse Nardin calibre 26 automatic movement (base ETA). The movement has a subsidiary seconds dial, date, and power reserve indicator, as well as being COSC Chronometer certified. The case is matched to a rubber strap that has a few links in it. As Ulysse Nardin is the most popular luxury watch in Russia, a watch like this makes sense. Not sure about price, as well as the number of piece in the limited edition. Don't expect it to be cheap though... that might dishonor the great tower!

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: russia, spasskaya, tower, ulysse nardin, watch

Tsar Nicholas II's Custom 1914 Rolls-Royce for Sale at $7 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

A royal purple 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that's said to have belonged to Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, is being offered for sale in Germany via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $7 million. In the 1920s the custom-made car, which features nickel plated fittings, a speaking tube for communicating with the chauffeur and coachwork by Barker, found its way into the collection of circus impresario John Ringling of Ringling Bros. at Ca d'Zan, his famous 30 room Venetian mansion in Sarasota, Florida. After being displayed in a classic car museum next to Adolph Hitler's Mercedes for a spell, at some point it was acquired by a German collector who kept it in an underground bunker from which it was recently unearthed. The nearly century-old Rolls, made just 10 years after Henry Royce built his very first car, offers not only a royal pedigree but is an important piece of automotive history it its own right.

Tags: classic cars, Czar, Florida, JamesList, John Ringling, Nicholas II, Rolls-Royce, royalty, Russia, Tsars

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