Mikhail Prokhorov
Mikhail Prokhorov
Mikhail Dmitrievitch Prokhorovis a Russian billionaire, politician, and owner of the American basketball team the Brooklyn Nets. After graduating from the Moscow Finance Institute, he worked in the financial sector and subsequently went on to become one of Russia's leading industrialists, owning major stakes in multinational corporations in the precious metals sector. While he was running Norilsk Nickel, the company became the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium. He is the former chairman of Polyus Gold, Russia's largest gold...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth3 May 1965
CountryRussian Federation
Sometimes, if I need assistance on the government level, I can appeal through official channels. For example, when I bought the New Jersey Nets, President Medvedev raised the issue with President Obama, who voiced support for the idea, which is always a nice thing to have going for us.
Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you,
Even before my parents died, I felt all the responsibility to my family. I don't know why. In any business, any relationship, if something goes wrong, I feel I am to blame. It's something inside me.
The government in Russia does not tell me what to do with my assets.
I learned from both my parents that you had to be clever.
No one doing big business can avoid some contact with government agencies, regulators, and policy makers.
Money is not the thing that drives me. I like to develop assets to create value. No one cares how rich you are or what your ranking is in Forbes magazine.
I don't use a computer. We have too much information and it's really impossible to filter it.
I don't understand small businesses, only big ones. Marriage is the hardest small business.
For some sport is a hobby but for me it is a way to survive. It makes me calm, balanced and well-rested. Not tired but vice versa. I think sport balances off my work load.
I work 12 to 14 hours a day, and in the spare time I do sport.
I have three joys in my life: work, sport and food. All these come in one and do not make a hobby.
You could have all the money in the world, but you have to be smart enough knowing how to spend it. I really try to be on that smart money side. Once you make a serious mistake you can suffer five or six years, and I do my best to avoid serious mistakes.
Frankly speaking, I like women. In my heart, I am still teenager. And I am very open and I don't want to hide this.