What do you think the Armenians are best at? Shish kebab, dolma, brandy ... Of course, Armenian cuisine is excellent, but today the conversation is not about cooking. Moreover, representatives of this nation know a lot about something else. Entrepreneurship, management and money. Moreover, the money is by no means small when it comes to international corporations whose names are known to anyone. Some Armenians are very talented and competent businessmen. We present you the hit parade, which includes the richest Armenians in the world, who have very tidy sums on their account. By the way, do you know that the founder of Magnit, Sergei Galitsky, is actually not Galitsky at all, but Harutyunyan? However, let's get started.
10. Gerard Gafeschyan
Gafeschyan’s name is associated with one of the largest world publishing houses West Publishing, where the businessman actually works as an executive vice president. Gerard contributed to the recognition of publishers around the world with his experience and attitude to the business, with him the staff of the company increased almost 3.5 times. However, Gafeschyan finds time not only for work, but spends money not only on business development. For example, in 2003, Gerard paid for the purchase and repair of a building for the Armenian Genocide Museum in the United States ($ 20 million). The businessman also provided $ 25 million for the reconstruction of the Greater Yerevan Cascade.
9. Eduardo Ernekyan
This person is the president of two management companies with over 50 airports in Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador and Armenia. Needless to say, Ernekyan is not just rich, but owns a fortune. For example, in the same Argentina, he is out of competition. However, it is in vain to believe that a businessman is simply sitting on money. At one time, Eduardo from his pocket contributed to the reconstruction of the Zvartnots airport, and this, for a second, about 200 million dollars. In addition, Ernekyan in every possible way sponsors Armenian organizations throughout Latin America, and also invests considerable funds in Armenian funds.
8. Danil Khachaturov
This name is known to everyone who has at least once been interested in insurance from a slightly more global point of view, rather than simply acquiring an insurance policy. For 15 years, Danil was actually the first person of Rosgosstrakh Group of Companies. Khachaturov regularly enters not only the tops of the most discussed people related to insurance, but also on the lists of the Russian-speaking Forbes. According to various sources, Danil’s fortune is estimated at $ 2 billion. It is very difficult to imagine, but even by Russian business standards, such a figure is not in the lead, not to mention the Forbes world. Nevertheless, Khachaturov earned his money absolutely definitely for his life with a note “lux”.
7. Samvel Karapetyan
Samvel is also far from the last person, though in a slightly different field of activity. Karapetyan dominates the Tashir Group Corporation, a large Russian industrial and construction holding whose focus is on commercial real estate. Samvel’s department has more than 30 shopping centers, several huge office complexes and 8 hotels located in different regions of Russia. Monetary reserves of Karapetyan himself are logically measured in billions of dollars. According to financial sources, the businessman has about 3 of them, which closes the first six hundred global Forbes.
6. Stephen Kandaryan
Another representative of the insurance business. Kandaryan heads the international company MetLife. To make it clear what kind of "desk" we are talking about, take a look at the following fact. Almost the entire first hundred of the Fortune 500 rating (the most profitable global corporations) uses corporate insurance services in MetLife. The president of such a company is hardly making ends meet. Indeed, Kandaryan’s fortune is approximately $ 25 billion! However, he manages the money not only in the interests of business - it is known that Steve is the sender of multimillion checks to Armenian charity funds. At the same time, Kandaryan does not publicize his good work.
5. Kirk Kerkorian
He is Grigor Grigoryan. Kirk is famous as the founder of Tracinda Corporation. At one time, the businessman was a co-owner of the Ford and Chrysler automobile concerns. Kirkoryan was also noticed in cinematography (of course, not as an actor), but the most profitable for the Armenian was gambling. In order not to be unfounded and not to sow a fog of generalization, we simply say that 40 percent of Las Vegas casinos belonged to Kirk at one time. If we talk about the financial condition of Kirkorian, then his peak took place in 2007 ($ 18 billion). By the way, the businessman, starting in 1992, also invested a lot in Armenian charity.
4. Gevorg Hovnanyan
The success story of this man began back in 1959, when Gevorg and his three brothers stood at the origins of the construction company Hovnanian Enterprices Inc. Hard work, patience, the construction of houses and the sale of apartments have led to the fact that today the brainchild of the surname Hovnanyan is one of the largest US construction companies. Despite the riches, Gevorg was by no means littering money left and right. On the contrary, the businessman spent some of his earnings on help and charity. In particular, in 1988, together with the Gevorg brothers, he sent humanitarian aid to the victims of the Armenian earthquake, and in 2006 transferred $ 2 million to the Armenian Relief Fund.
3. Vache Manukyan
Vache, in turn, dominates the holding MARS (the corporation has a pharmaceutical business, in addition, the company is engaged in the development of biotechnology). Manukyan is known for having once been an adviser and confidant to the prince of Brunei, as well as the owner of the famous Adelphi Hotel, which is located in the heart of London near the legendary Big Ben. As for Manukyan’s money, he disposes of them judiciously and generously. For example, Vache founded the Manukyan and Armenia charity foundation. In addition, the businessman invests in cultural and historical Armenian events in the UK.
2. Serge Churuk
The biography of the leadership path of this person is replete with diversity. Over the years, Churuk was involved in the work of a pharmaceutical company (Rhone-Poulenc), a chemical company (Orkem) and an oil and gas corporation (Total). Finally, from 1995 to the present day, Serge has led one of the flagships in the field of telecommunications. It's about Alcatel. Active social and charitable activities represent Churuk as the most significant member of the Armenian diaspora in France. Serge financially supports Armenian interests not only in the country where he lives, but also in his homeland.
1. Vartan Sarmakesh
Crowned by the rating of Armenian businessmen, bigwig Vartan Sarmakesh. The secret of his wealth is more than logical. Sarmakesh is simply the owner of the Swiss corporation Franck Muller (the company's activity is the production of luxury watches). Vartan manages 7 brands of timepieces, and also has at his disposal 14 production plants located in Switzerland. Sarmakesh is also the President of ArmSwissBank, whose head office is in Yerevan. Vartan actively sponsors Armenian football - in particular, the entrepreneur was once a co-owner of FC Ararat.