Len Blavatnik's Biography

Len Blavatnik, born Leonard Valentinovich Blavatnik on June 14, 1957, is a British-American billionaire businessman, investor, and philanthropist best known as the founder of Access Industries. Born in Odessa, then part of the Soviet Union, Blavatnik emigrated to the United States in the late 1970s, where he attended Columbia University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. He established Access Industries in 1986, which grew into a global industrial group with investments spanning natural resources, chemicals, media, telecommunications, and technology. Blavatnik's most notable business achievements include acquiring Warner Music Group and investing in LyondellBasell, DAZN, and a variety of tech startups. He is also recognized for his significant philanthropy, supporting universities like Oxford and Columbia, as well as numerous scientific and cultural initiatives. Despite occasional controversies related to his Russian business connections and media acquisitions, Blavatnik has received international recognition, including a knighthood from the United Kingdom and the French Legion of Honour. With an estimated net worth exceeding $34 billion, Blavatnik stands among the world's richest individuals. His story is synonymous with entrepreneurial vision, strategic investment, and a commitment to education, culture, and innovation.