Agalarov Aras Iskender oglu

Biography

Born November 8, 1955 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Education

1962: Secondary School No. 189 in Baku

In 1962-1972 - Secondary general education school No. 189 in Baku.

1977: Baku Polytechnic Institute

In 1977 he graduated from the Baku Polytechnic Institute (since 2015 - Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry), qualification - "Engineer of Electrical Communications," specialty - "Multichannel Telecommunication."

1987: VTSsSPS named after N.M. Shvernika - Candidate of Economic Sciences

In 1987 he graduated from the graduate school of the Higher School of Trade Union Movement of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions named after N.M. Shvernik (since 1990 - Academy of Labor and Social Relations).

He defended his thesis on the topic: "Formation and use of the wage fund on the example of communications enterprises," June 9, 1987 was awarded a degree: candidate economic sciences^[1]

Career

1977

Baku Telephone Exchange

In 1977, after graduation, he worked at the Baku telephone exchange.

Research Institute of Baku

Since 1977, he worked at a research institute in Baku.

1979: Republican Communications Workers Union Committee

In 1979, he was transferred to the Republican Committee of the Communications Workers Union.

1981: Chairman of the MK Trade Union of the Baku Long-Distance Telephone Exchange

In 1981, he was elected chairman of the MK trade union of the Baku long-distance telephone exchange.

1987: Baku City Committee of the Union of Workers of the Agro-Industrial Complex

After graduating from graduate school in 1987, he was appointed instructor in the Baku City Committee of the trade union of workers of the agro-industrial complex.

1988

All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions named after N.M. Shvernika

From 1988 to 1990, he worked at the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions as a junior researcher.

Founder of Saffron Cooperative

In 1988, he founded the Saffron trade and procurement cooperative (export of Russian souvenirs, import of computer equipment), in 1989 renamed Crocus^[2]

1989: Founder of Crocus International

In 1989, he founded the American-Soviet joint commercial enterprise Crocus International (hereinafter referred to as the Crocus Group), which is engaged in the development and exhibition business, and the sale of luxury goods.

The company owns the largest To Moscow in the Crocus Expo exhibition center, its area exceeds 1 million square meters. m.

1990: Director-General (President)

Since March 31, 1990, he has been the General Director (President) of Crocus International JSC.

In 2006, the Board of Directors EBRD approved the allocation of Crocus Group 207 million to the group of companies for dollars financing constructions the Kashirka Mall shopping center^[3]

In 2012, ^[4] offer Crocus Group services during the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Amur Region].

1997: Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Crocus-Bank

Since October 1, 1997 - Chairman of the Supervisory Board of CB Crocus-Bank LLC.

2002

Founder and President of the Union of Manufacturers and Importers

In 2002, he organized the Union of Manufacturers and Importers and was elected President of this non-profit organization.

"All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress"

Since 2002 - Member of the Presidium of the All-Russian Public Organization "All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress"^[5]

2004: FEDERAL CUSTOMS SERVICE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Since 2004 - Member of the Public Advisory Council on Customs Policy at the Federal Customs Service.

2006: MAI

According to 2006 data, he was a full member of the International Academy^[6] of the^[6].

2009: RUIE

Since 2009 - Member of the Board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)^[7]

2010: Founder of the Muslim Magomayev Cultural and Musical Heritage Fund

In 2010, he established the non-profit organization Muslim Magomayev Cultural and Musical Heritage Fund^[8]

2011: Income

He took 64th place in the ranking of the Russian-language version of Forbes "The Richest Businessmen of Russia - 2011." The fortune was estimated at $1.5 billion ^[9].

2012

Vice President of MMBA and Opora Rossii, Editor-in-Chief of Business and Exhibitions Magazine

In 2012, he was Vice-President of the Moscow International Business Association and the public organization of small and medium-sized businesses "Support of Russia," editor-in-chief of the magazine "Business and Exhibitions"^[2].

Income

He took 61st place in the ranking of the Russian-language version of Forbes "Richest Businessmen Russia - 2012." The fortune of Aras Agalarov was estimated at 1.6 billion dollars^[10]

2019: Sponsor of the construction of the children's hospice "House with a lighthouse"

In 2019, he sponsored the construction of the House with a Lighthouse children's hospice. The total project cost for Crocus Group amounted to 400 million rubles.

2020: Net worth $1.7 billion

In 2020, he took 55th place in the ranking of the Russian-language version of Forbes "200 Richest Businessmen of Russia 2020." The fortune is estimated at $1,700 million.

For 2020, the main assets of Aras Agalarov are concentrated:

• trade (Crocus Group)^[11]

2025: FSSP initiated enforcement proceedings against the head of Crocus Group Aras Agalarov

The bailiff service at the end of June 2025 initiated enforcement proceedings against the president of Crocus Group Aras Agalarov. The procedure is related to the court decision on the forced demolition of illegally erected garage structures on the territory belonging to the metropolitan metro.

According to Forbes, the Presnensky District Court of the capital issued an executive document on May 7, 2025. The applicant for this dispute was the state unitary enterprise "Moscow Metro." The proceedings concerned disputes over the unauthorized construction of real estate.

Aras Agalarov

According to the court order, the land was transferred to the metro under a lease agreement dated April 26, 2018. The site was intended for the operation of traction substation No. T-18, which belongs to the infrastructure of off-street transport. The electrical installation provides power to tram and trolleybus lines in the North-Western administrative district of Moscow.

The case file indicates that 33 metal garage boxes are located on the protected area of ​ ​ the substation. These structures do not belong to the metro and prevent the targeted use of the land plot. The actual owners of the garages are participants in the consumer garage and operational cooperative "Metro Covered Garage Parking."

The court ordered Agalarov to dismantle the garage boxes under numbers 1, 2, 5, 6 and 33. In case of failure to comply with the requirements within three months after the entry into force of the decision, a daily judicial penalty is imposed. In total, 25 defendants are involved in the case.

The appeal was upheld. On February 20, 2025, the cassation instance made a determination regarding some of the defendants, among whom Agalarov was not listed. The businessman was not present at the court hearings.^[12]

Awards

• Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh II degree (2003),
• Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow II degree (2005),
• Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - degree "Commander" (2009),
• First place in the rating of the Kommersant newspaper of senior leaders in 2010 (nomination "Trade"),
• Winner of the Commercial Real Estate Awards in the nomination "Developer of the Year" (2011),
• Winner of The MICAM Awards,
• Winner of the Donald Trump Diamond Excellence Award,
• Order of Honor (RF) - for the achieved labor successes, many years of conscientious work and active social activity (October 26, 2013),
• "Person of the Year" and "Developer of the Year" according to the Commercial Real Estate Awards (2015).

Additional information

Agalarov is famous for his ambitious projects, for example, the construction of the satellite city of Moscow, the promotion of the famous restaurant brand of the world - the Nobu chain, one of the co-owners of which is actor Robert de Niro.

He wears a Patek Philippe watch, loves^[13] costumes sitting well on it^[13]

Author of the books "My view of Russia in the era of reforms" and "Russia: reflections on the way to the market" (publishing house "Young Guard," Moscow, 1998).

Family

Married, two children^[14].

• Wife - Irena Agalarova.
• Son - Emin Agalarov.
• Daughter - Sheila Agalarova.

Notes