Mikhail Maratovich Fridman was born on April 21, 1964, in Lviv, in a family of engineers. His father is a laureate of the State Prize of the USSR for the development of identification systems for military aviation.

Education

In 1986, he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys (MISIS).

Career

From 1986 to 1988, he worked as a design engineer at the Elektrostal Plant in the town of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast.

He then started engaging in entrepreneurial activities.

In 1988, he organized the cooperative "Kurier," specializing in window cleaning. In 1989, together with Mikhail Alfimov (from whom the name "Alfa" derives), German Khan, and Alexey Kuzmichev, he founded and became the head of the company "Alfa-Photo," which was involved in the sales of photographic materials, computers, and copying equipment.

A year later, he established the Soviet-Swiss joint venture "Alfa-Eco," which was engaged in the export of oil and metallurgical products. It later served as the foundation for the creation of "Alfa Group."

In 1991, he became the chairman of the board of directors of Alfa-Bank. Some of his capital was invested in Belarusian projects, including Alfa-Bank, the operator Life, and retailers "Belmarket" and "BelEvroset."

Later, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Public Russian Television Association (ORT), as well as the board of directors of Sidanko Oil Company and the retail chain "Perekrestok."

In January 1996, he was one of the founders of the Russian Jewish Congress, becoming its Vice President and head of the Cultural Committee. He is a member of the Presidium of the Russian Jewish Congress and provides significant support to Jewish initiatives in Russia and Europe.

From 1995 to 1998, he was a member of the board of directors of the Public Russian Television Company (ORT).

Read more on the website: www.mikhailfridmansite.com/