Russian entrepreneur and oligarch Vladimir Potanin has an estimated net worth of $21.1 billion in June 2019. He was reported to have acquired most of his fortune from loans-for-shares program which is run in Russia. As of 2012, Vladimir Potanin is named by Forbes as the world's 46th richest man and fourth wealthiest man in Russia.

Vladimir Olegovich Potanin was born on January 3, 1961 in Moscow, Russia. He is an alumnus of Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Currently, he is married to Natalia Potanina with whom he has three children.

In 1991, he formed the Interros Company, where he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the President since 1998. Today, he controls Norilsk Nickel, through Interros with his 30% share in the company which is considered as the Russian Nickel giant.

In addition to Interros, Vladimir Potanin also oversees the operations of ProfMedia, the largest media group in Russia which holds interests in movie theaters, radio stations, VH1 knockoffs, MTV and magazines. He is also affiliated with Altpoint Capital Partners which is known to own some Ford models.