Roman Abramovich, Russia’s richest man, divorced his wife Irina, former air stewardess, his spokesman confirmed today. The couple agreed on a financial settlement and arrangements regarding their five children.

“Mr. and Mrs. Abramovich have divorced in Russia on a consensual basis,” the former spouses said in an e-mailed statement today. “Mr. Abramovich’s corporate interests, including Chelsea Football Club, are not affected by the divorce proceedings.”

Roman Abramovich was ranked 16 in a Forbes’ list of the world’s richest people, published last week. It claimed he has a $US18.7 billion ($A23.96 billion) fortune and named him the richest man in Russia.

Last year he bought more than 40 percent of Evraz Group SA, the Russia’s biggest steel producer. In 2005 Abramovich sold his oil company Sibneft in to state monopoly Gazprom for $13.1 billion.

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