Roman Abramovich: Desperate Russian oligarch 'BEGGING' celeb pals to lend him $1m to pay staff
Roman Abramovich, a Russian tycoon, has reportedly been 'begging' his Hollywood and US power broker pals to lend him $1 million apiece for survival as his assets have been blocked by international authorities. The Chelsea Football Club owner, whose bank accounts have been frozen in the USA and UK, is desperately seeking loans from influential and powerful friends in order to maintain his whispered $750,000-a-week staff payroll—which includes the minions who keep his multiple luxury superyachts afloat.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the European Union laid sanctions against Abramovich, who has a net worth of $14.3 billion, according to Bloomberg. While Abramovich—who has hosted a slew of star-studded celebrity parties on his yachts and at his multistory St. Bart's estate—has many good friends in Hollywood, Wall Street, and the tech community. However, his associates are wary of lending him money, even though he is an active participant in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
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A source informed Page Six, “Roman is asking some of his closest powerful friends to let him borrow $1 million. He is saying he has never missed payroll for his staff, which is $750,000 a week, and with his assets frozen, he can’t pay his people.”
“He has reached out to Hollywood producer and director Brett Ratner and the Rothschild family, among many others, for money, but — while they are good friends with Roman — they have not agreed to give him money, because either they do not have that in liquid cash, or moreover it is not clear what are the repercussions under international law,” said the source.
According to the site, Rothschilds could not be reached for comment. Neither has made a financial contribution to Abramovich. Abramovich is selling his penthouse property on London's Chelsea riverfront, in the Kensington area.
US investment businesses put a stop to Abramovich's assets. He was also prevented from profiting from the $3 billion sale of his Chelsea Football Club due to the limitations. Meanwhile, Abramovich is doing everything he can to protect his assets, including engaging in peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainians invited him to the peace negotiations because they believe he has a direct route to Putin, which he denied.
Abramovich, 55, is claimed to have amassed his fortune during the post-Soviet Union privatization frenzy and was the founder of Millhouse Capital, an investment firm with nickel mining and steelmaking operations. According to municipal property records, Abramovich transferred $92.3 million in Upper East Side properties to his ex-wife Dasha Zhukova in 2018. He recently escaped an attempted poisoning during the peace negotiations, which left him with painful eyes and peeling skin. Two Ukrainian peace negotiators were also allegedly poisoned.
The irony is that Abramovich owns at least four ships worth about $1.4 billion, as well as a $700 million home on St. Barts' most stunning Gouverneur Beach and his fleet of premium superyachts is still in the water. Antigua's authorities revealed just a few days ago that two ships found in its waters belonged to the entrepreneur.
According to the Financial Times, he owns the $40 million superyacht Halo and the $20 million support vessel Garcon in Antigua.