Ex-wife of Russia’s richest man demands half of his $20 billion fortune

THE ex-wife of Russia’s richest man is demanding half of his fortune, which would leave her richer than James Packer and Frank Lowy combined.

Vladimir Potanin. Picture: CNN

NOW that’s rich!

The ex-wife of Russia’s richest man, Vladimir Potanin, is demanding half of his $US15 billion ($AU20 billion) fortune.

After their divorce last year following 30 years of marriage, Natalia Potanina was offered a monthly allowance of $US250,000 and properties in New York, Moscow and London — but she scoffed at the paltry sum.

Natalia launched an international fight to get a hold of his astronomical wealth, which she claims is held in offshore companies, CNNreported.

Her ex-hubby, a former Russian deputy prime minister, runs several companies and owns 30 per cent of nickel behemoth Norilsk Nickel, which is valued at more than $US30 billion, the network reported.

Extraordinarily wealthy ... Vladimir Potanin, Russian billionaire and owner of OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, faces a massive divorce payout. Picture: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg vis Getty Images

Head honchos ... Vladimir Potanin meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) at the Kremlin on December 24, 2002. Picture: Sovfoto/UIG via Getty Images

Natalia claims she is entitled to half his fortune because Russian law mandates that wealth acquired during marriage be divided equally.

She said she’d give her shares of Norilsk to the state.

“I want to avoid corporate conflicts. I want such a big strategic object to be under the state control,” she told CNN

The $AU10 billion payout would make her twice as rich as Aussie billionaires Frank Lowy and James Packer, according to Forbes’ 2015 Australia’s 50 Richest People list.

In happier times ... Vladimir Potanin and Natalia Potanina with two of their children. Picture: CNN

Opulent mansion ... a CNN crew met Natalia Potanina at her opulent mansion on the outskirts of Moscow. Picture: CNN

Life of luxury ... Natalia Potanina’s mansion near Moscow boasts an impressive staircase. Picture: CNN

Extravagant taste ... Natalia Potanina shows a CNN reporter through her elaborately furnished home. Picture: CNN

Natalia, who has three children with Vladimir, said she has been hurt by the split.

“I feel offended after living together for 30 years,” she told CNN.

“I loved him so much — it was a big personal drama to me.”

A court hearing is scheduled for July 1.

This story originally appeared in The New York Post.