It is not surprising that the United States is wildly popular with the super-rich Russians. Both countries firmly believe in Bigger and Blinger – just in very different ways.
The Big B’s
For Russian billionaires it’s all about bigger parties, while bigger cars are more important to their American counterparts. When it comes to bling, both Russians and Americans love shiny stuff, but the Richskis are more often seen with diamonds, while it wouldn’t be surprising to see an American billionaire bedazzled with rhinestones – just look at Elvis Presley.
Big Hat No Cattle
If you take a walk around Walmart, it is obvious that Americans have a tendency to underdress, and the same applies to American billionaires. Some of the biggest Texas oil barons walk around dressed like cowboys in denim jeans, buckskin shirts and big hats. You won’t see a Russian oligarch doing that. Known for ordering tailor-made suits and shopping at Versace and Harry Winston, the wealthy Russians take pride in not only being rich, but also looking the part. The exception seems to be Russian football fanatic Roman Abramovich who arrived at a court hearing sporting a simple £93 watch – even though he could comfortably afford the most expensive Rolex.
Besides Fashion, What’s so Different?
If you had billions in the bank, and almost infinite spending power, what would you buy? American billionaires are known for spending ridiculous amounts of money on education. Fifteenth century merchant and railway owner John Hopkins founded the John Hopkins University. Famous for being the richest man in history, John D. Rockefeller founded the University of Chicago and the Rockefeller University. Cornelius Vanderbilt founded Vanderbilt University and Kellog’s Cork Flakes manufacturer Will Kellogg was the founder of the California State Politechnic University. This is just to mention a few.
What About the Russians?
Russian billionaires spend their considerable fortunes on an interesting trend. Known for their ostentatious tastes, wealthy Russians also have fabulously flamboyant spending habits – like buying football clubs. Business magnate Alisher Usmanov spent a few million on Arsenal FC, Mining mogul Suleyman Kerimov bought Anzhi FC, billionaire banker Vladimir Antonov bought Portsmouth FC – and £93 watch man Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea FC.