- Vagit Alekperov is worth $28 billion USD and admits to having no friends outside his business world.
- His $120 million USD (~$191 million AUD) Galactica Super Nova epitomises luxury.
- From oil field worker to yacht collector: the lonely path of Russia’s 59th richest person.
Most billionaires fill their superyachts with friends, A-list guests, and champagne-filled parties that stretch from Monaco to Mykonos. But that is not the case for Vagit Alekperov; the Russian oil tycoon may own some of the most lavish vessels on the water, but according to his own admission, he has no friends outside the boardroom to enjoy them with.
Alekperov is ranked 59th on the billionaire list and has a net worth of $28 billion USD. He is the former president of Lukoil, Russia’s largest independent oil company. His business acumen has helped him build an empire, but his personal life tells a different story — one of unimaginable wealth but few to share it with.
Floating Palaces Without Guests
Alekperov owns the 114-foot Galactica Plus, which is a smaller yacht and stands as a testament to elegance and style. But his prized possession is the 230-foot Galactica Super Nova which truly is luxurious even if it is largely unoccupied.
This $120 million USD (~$191 million AUD) yacht isn’t just another billionaire bauble. It has accommodations for 12 guests spread across six staterooms, a crew of 16, and a top speed of 30 knots with a range of 4000 nautical miles.
The vessel ranks among the fastest and most extravagant yachts of its class and has onboard amenities that read like a luxury resort’s brochure — a glass-bottom swimming pool and an expansive beach club. The yacht also has an 11.9-meter beam and 1,130 gross tonnage, creating a space that is perfect for hosting magnificent gatherings. The only problem? The lack of a guest list.
While the billionaire’s social circle may be limited, the yacht isn’t entirely empty. His wife, Larisa Victorovna Alekperova, and their son Yusuf occasionally enjoy its comforts including a VIP apartment with an en-suite bathroom, private study, and a lounge. Still, most of the large spaces remain largely untouched standing as a reminder that wealth and success don’t always mean a rich social life.
Alekperov’s Success and Isolation
Alekperov’s journey to the upper levels of the billionaire club started in the oil fields of Azerbaijan, where he followed in his father’s footsteps.
After graduating from the Azerbaijan Oil and Gas Institute in 1974, he set out for Western Siberia which was ground zero for Soviet oil production. He was successful in his career, and by 1990, at a really young age, he had become deputy minister of the Soviet Union’s oil and gas industry. But the real game-changer came a year later when he co-founded Lukoil, which cemented his status as a titan in Russia’s energy sector.
Over the decades, his business interests have increased. He co-owns IFD Kapital Group and even held stakes in a Dutch luxury yacht-building company until 2022. Yet, despite an empire built on deal-making and high-powered connections, Alekperov made a surprising confession to Forbes: “I have devoted my whole life to work. I have no friends and acquaintances outside my business world.”
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