Russian and Azerbaijani businessman Vagit Alekperov has an estimated net worth of $17.2 billion in July 2019. Currently, he serves as the President of LUKOIL, a leading oil company in Russia.

After his graduation, he went to work for the Caspian regional production company, Kaspmorneft. From engineering, he was promoted to deputy head of a production unit. He has also worked for Surgutneftegaz and Bashneft production company. When Langepas-Uray-Kogalymneft, a state-owned oil company, turned into LUKoil Oil Company, Vagit Alekperov became the company's president.

Only second to Exxon in terms of reserves, LUKoil Oil Company is considered as one of the most powerful oil companies in the world today. It currently hires over 100,000 people. It is the first Russian company to have acquired a U.S.-based company. It was in November 2000 when LUKoil Oil Company obtained Getty Petroleum Marketing together with its 1300 gas stations found across the United States. Vagit Alekperov also has interests in banking and media.