Ukraine’s richest man Rinat Akhmetov buys 14-bedroom Campari villa on the French Riviera for a ‘bargain’ £170m – complete with ballroom, stables and botanical gardens

By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter

Published: 21:50 GMT, 27 January 2020 | Updated: 01:24 GMT, 28 January 2020

A Ukrainian oligarch who owns one of London’s most expensive properties has spent £170million on a sprawling estate on the French Riviera.

Rinat Akhmetov, the Ukraine’s richest man with an estimated fortune of £5.1billion, confirmed he bought the historic Villa Les Cedres from the Campari Group as a ‘long term investment’.

The 187-year-old mansion – once owned by King Leopold II of Belgium – is set in 35 acres near the coastal town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

The 187-year-old Villa Les Cedres on the French Riviera is set in 35 acres and boasts 14 bedrooms, its own ballroom, stables, botanical gardens and an Olympic-sized swimming pool

Wealth: Tycoon Rinat Akhmetov is the Ukraine's richest man with an estimated fortune of £5.1bn

Wealth: Tycoon Rinat Akhmetov is the Ukraine's richest man with an estimated fortune of £5.1bn

Wealth: Tycoon Rinat Akhmetov is the Ukraine’s richest man with an estimated fortune of £5.1bn

Tropical plants surrounding the swimming pool in the private gardens at the Villa Les Cedres on the French Riviera

Tropical plants surrounding the swimming pool in the private gardens at the Villa Les Cedres on the French Riviera

Tropical plants surrounding the swimming pool in the private gardens at the Villa Les Cedres on the French Riviera

Chandeliers hang over armchairs and tables as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of a sitting room inside the Villa Les Cedres

Chandeliers hang over armchairs and tables as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of a sitting room inside the Villa Les Cedres

Chandeliers hang over armchairs and tables as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of a sitting room inside the Villa Les Cedres

It boasts 14 bedrooms, its own ballroom, stables, botanical gardens and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The palatial villa was described as the ‘most expensive home on Earth’ when it was put on the market for £308million by Italian distiller Davide Campari-Milano two years ago – but was sold to Akhmetov at a big discount.

With a portfolio that includes two apartments in One Hyde Park, London, 53-year-old Akhmetov – who is married with two children – heads a business empire that spans mining, energy, telecoms, retail, property and transport – and Ukrainian football team Shakhtar Donetsk.

The initials M.L., for the Marnier-Lapostolle family, sit inscribed on a stonework of a fireplace inside the villa

The initials M.L., for the Marnier-Lapostolle family, sit inscribed on a stonework of a fireplace inside the villa

The initials M.L., for the Marnier-Lapostolle family, sit inscribed on a stonework of a fireplace inside the villa

Armchairs and tables stand beneath chandeliers as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of a sitting room

Armchairs and tables stand beneath chandeliers as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of a sitting room

Armchairs and tables stand beneath chandeliers as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of a sitting room

Cushions rest on sofas as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of the 187-year-old sitting room

Cushions rest on sofas as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of the 187-year-old sitting room

Cushions rest on sofas as 19th century portraits in ornate frames adorn the walls of the 187-year-old sitting room

The Mediterranean is seen from the bedroom terrace of the Villa Les Cedres. Tycoon Rinat Akhmetov confirmed he bought the historic villa

The Mediterranean is seen from the bedroom terrace of the Villa Les Cedres. Tycoon Rinat Akhmetov confirmed he bought the historic villa

The Mediterranean is seen from the bedroom terrace of the Villa Les Cedres. Tycoon Rinat Akhmetov confirmed he bought the historic villa

 

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