A close ally of Vladimir Putin who told divorce courts he was penniless has been exposed as having a £240 million fortune, including a multi-million pound London mansion and valuable art collection.
The Luxury Lifestyle Behind Poverty Claims
Vladimir Sloutsker, 69, who died from cancer in September, fought relentlessly to conceal his substantial wealth during divorce proceedings with his ex-wife Alona. Despite claiming his Russian assets had been stolen, leaving him in severe financial hardship, Mr Justice Garrido uncovered evidence of Sloutsker's true worth through documents the Russian had himself authorised.
The former senator, who represented the Chuvash Republic until 2010, built his fortune through ownership of Russian investment vehicle Finvest. Before their separation, the couple enjoyed an extraordinarily lavish lifestyle centred around their 2,790 square metre family home in South Kensington, valued at approximately £45 million.
The property featured a cinema room, heated indoor pool, commercial chef's kitchen, four-car garage and gym, with Sloutsker spending millions on renovations. Their holiday spending was equally extravagant, including a £440,000 Christmas trip to Courchevel, £60,000 visit to Zermatt and £350,000 summer holiday in Tuscany.
The Hidden Fortune Revealed
Justice Garrido's investigation revealed Sloutsker's extensive portfolio beyond the London property. The Russian owned a £150 million plot of land in Moscow alongside a £22 million family home in the city. His investments included £17 million in US private equity and £4 million held in a Swiss bank account.
Perhaps most revealing was his £4 million art collection, featuring a £1 million work by Michelangelo Pistoletto, a £2 million George Condo piece, and a £250,000 artwork by American artist Cindy Sherman.
The judge described Sloutsker as a "dishonest witness" who had "attempted to mislead the court" about his financial circumstances. His claims that stolen Russian assets had left him unable to pay his London mortgage were directly contradicted by evidence of his maintained wealth.
Consequences and Ongoing Battle
In an unusual move, the judge has made the ruling public, citing Sloutsker's position as a former Russian senator and his "serious and repeated litigation misconduct". The month before his death on September 26, Justice Garrido ordered Sloutsker to pay £25 million to his ex-wife.
David Allison, solicitor representing Alona Sloutsker, revealed the extent of Sloutsker's obstructive behaviour. "Neither he nor his estate has paid a penny to his former wife", Allison stated, adding that prior to his death Sloutsker had "disappeared, cutting off all contact with his young children."
With Sloutsker's passing, the responsibility for the £25 million settlement now falls to his estate. The case highlights the complex international financial arrangements sometimes used to conceal assets during divorce proceedings, particularly involving high-profile individuals with political connections.
