Russian millionaire gives up fortune to live as peasant A 47-year-old Russian man, German Sterligov has done what many dare not try. Hitting limelight at only 24 by becoming Russia’s first legal millionaire since 1917, Sterligov has given up all of that wealth and returned to the countryside to live as a peasant, according to the BBC. Even though the financial empire he built – with offices in London and New York – guaranteed a lifetime of comfort, the 47-year-old felt he was better off in the fringes rather than continue a life of affluence. After more than 15 years of fame and riches, Sterligov headed for the woods where he says life is a bit calm and natural. “I’m free here. I don’t depend on anyone and me and my family are totally self sufficient. Most of my friends thought I had taken leave of my senses but I think I have been proved right,” he said. Sterligov who set up Russia’s first commodities exchange, had over 2,500 employees at a time and took a shot at the country’s presidency in the early 2000s. But sadly, business and politics turned out to be a lethal combination for him. He was barred by election officials for odd reasons, building up huge debts following an expensive political campaigning. To cover the debt, he was forced to sell his four-storey mansion in Moscow’s most exclusive neighbourhood. But he didn’t stop there. He thought to himself all material possessions were vanity and so proceeded in giving up everything he ever owned. Apart from selling off all his properties, Sterligov also gave away shares worth hundreds of millions of pounds, also asking his wife, Alyona, to trade her jewellery and designer clothes for the traditional long skirt and headscarf worn by Russian peasants. With almost nothing to their name, the couple and their four children retreated to the woods. With the little money they had left, the Sterligovs built a small log cabin with no electricity. Ten days after they moved into their new home, Alyona gave birth to the couple’s fifth child. Looking back, the 47-year-old says he has no regrets: “Not in a million years do I want to be a businessman with these silly, shiny badges of success – the Rublyovka houses, swanky yachts, Bentleys and so on,” he said. “I’m happy with my peace in the countryside, and my sheep, along with my wife and kids. Being super-rich is a kind of slavery from which we’re free, thankfully.” As a businessman, he and his family lived in constant fear of being kidnapped or becoming victims of contract killing. The couple had changed their address no less than 23 times in the face of new threats. “He came home, threw down his jacket, and suddenly said, ‘I can’t do any more here. Let’s go and find a new life,’” Alyona, recalls. Although Sterligov’s two houses are large and comfortable with a few modern conveniences like electricity, lavatories and a washing machine, they don’t own a TV or computer. The children don’t attend school, either. Instead, they have old- fashioned tutors who visit their home to teach them math, history, Russian, and hand-to-hand combat.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:36:17 +0000
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