A 47-year-old Russian man, German Sterligov has done what many dare
not try. Hitting limelight at only 24 by becoming Russia's first legal
millionaire since 1917, Sterligov has given up all of that wealth and
returned to the countryside to live as a peasant, according to the
BBC.
Even though the financial empire he built - with offices in London and
New York - guaranteed a lifetime of comfort, the 47-year-old felt he
was better off in the fringes rather than continue a life of
affluence. After more than 15 years of fame and riches, Sterligov
headed for the woods where he says life is a bit calm and natural.
"I'm free here. I don't depend on anyone and me and my family are
totally self sufficient. Most of my friends thought I had taken leave
of my senses but I think I have been proved right," he said.
Sterligov who set up Russia's first commodities exchange, had over
2,500 employees at a time and took a shot at the country's presidency
in the early 2000s. But sadly, business and politics turned out to be
a lethal combination for him. He was barred by election officials for
odd reasons, building up huge debts following an expensive political
campaigning.
To cover the debt, he was forced to sell his four-storey mansion in
Moscow's most exclusive neighbourhood. But he didn't stop there. He
thought to himself all material possessions were vanity and so
proceeded in giving up everything he ever owned.
Apart from selling off all his properties, Sterligov also gave away
shares worth hundreds of millions of pounds, also asking his wife,
Alyona, to trade her jewellery and designer clothes for the
traditional long skirt and headscarf worn by Russian peasants.
With almost nothing to their name, the couple and their four children
retreated to the woods. With the little money they had left, the
Sterligovs built a small log cabin with no electricity. Ten days after
they moved into their new home, Alyona gave birth to the couple's
fifth child.
Looking back, the 47-year-old says he has no regrets: "Not in a
million years do I want to be a businessman with these silly, shiny
badges of success - the Rublyovka houses, swanky yachts, Bentleys and
so on," he said. "I'm happy with my peace in the countryside, and my
sheep, along with my wife and kids. Being super-rich is a kind of
slavery from which we're free, thankfully."
As a businessman, he and his family lived in constant fear of being
kidnapped or becoming victims of contract killing. The couple had
changed their address no less than 23 times in the face of new
threats.
"He came home, threw down his jacket, and suddenly said, 'I can't do
any more here. Let's go and find a new life,'" Alyona, recalls.
Although Sterligov's two houses are large and comfortable with a few
modern conveniences like electricity, lavatories and a washing
machine, they don't own a TV or computer. The children don't attend
school, either. Instead, they have old-fashioned tutors who visit
their home to teach them math, history, Russian, and hand-to-hand
combat.
Former Russian deputy prime minister, Boris Nemstov, described
Sterligov as a strange fellow. "He is an unusual character. There are
very few people, in big business in particular, who would dare to give
up everything and do a farmer's work."
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