Bakaltchuk Wildberries Founder
Started Business During Parental Leave, Now Russia's Largest Online Mall
Maiden Name 'Kim' Before Marriage, Noted Goryeo-in Background
Tatiana Bakalchuk, considered the wealthiest woman in Russia, is reportedly in conflict with her husband over the future of Russia's largest e-commerce company. Bakalchuk's background as a Koryoin (ethnic Korean) has also become a topic of interest.
On the 24th (local time), according to Russian media RBC and Bloomberg News, Bakalchuk announced through her Telegram channel the day before that she has initiated divorce proceedings, stating, "I wonder for what purpose (my husband) Vladislav (Bakalchuk) is misleading people and spreading manipulated stories."
Bakalchuk is a self-made success story who founded the internet shopping mall 'Wildberries' during her maternity leave and grew it into Russia's largest e-commerce company. Before marriage, her surname was 'Kim,' indicating her Koryoin heritage.
Her husband Vladislav claimed that Wildberries was merged last month under unfavorable conditions with Rus Outdoor, Russia's largest outdoor advertising company, and alleged that his wife Bakalchuk is being manipulated by Rus's management. Currently, Bakalchuk holds 99% of Wildberries' shares, while the remaining 1% is owned by her husband.
In response, Bakalchuk refuted her husband's claims, saying, "It is unfortunate that Vladislav is spreading our private matters nationwide." She also emphasized that she is getting along well with all seven of their children.
The couple's conflict has been publicly discussed not only in the Chechen Republic but also within the Russian government. Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic, appeared in a video with Vladislav the day before and claimed, "There are serious problems with the Bakalchuk family and their family business," alleging that Wildberries' assets are being transferred from Rus to other parties. However, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, when asked about the matter on the same day, said, "We absolutely cannot interfere in family or business matters," and refrained from further comment.
Bakalchuk, who worked as an English teacher, founded Wildberries in 2004 during her maternity leave. Targeting consumers such as women caring for children who have little time to shop, she expanded her business by bulk ordering clothes from German clothing catalogs and scanning photos to post on her online shopping mall. Wildberries' sales last year reached 2.5 trillion rubles (approximately 40 trillion won). Bakalchuk's assets are estimated at 8.1 billion dollars (about 11 trillion won).
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