Russia-born billionaire Timur Turlov has become a prominent figure in Kazakhstan and enjoys a respected status across European circles. Widely recognized as one of Europe’s top entrepreneurs, Turlov has built a name for himself through sharp marketing tactics and offering stocks to retail investors. What many don’t know is that he looks up to US President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk. So who exactly is Turlov, and why is he making headlines?
Who is Timur Turlov?
Born in Russia, 37-year-old Timur Turlov amassed a fortune through the stock market, earning global attention in the process. He currently serves as the CEO of Freedom Holding Corp, a major retail brokerage and investment bank operating in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Turlov entered Forbes’ list of the world’s richest personalities in 2021, ranking 1517 with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion.
Since then, his wealth has seen a notable rise. As of April 2025, he ranks 605th on the world’s richest list, with a reported net worth of $5.8 billion. Much of this growth has been fueled by key ventures in the banking and mineral industries.
As of 2021, Turlov held a 72% stake in Freedom Holding, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The company had around 200,000 clients and posted revenues of $122 million in the fiscal year ending March 2020.
Turlov idolises Trump, Musk
A well-known admirer of current US President Donald Trump, Turlov, who holds Kazakh nationality, reportedly placed a life-size cutout of Trump inside Freedom Holding’s headquarters.
A 2017 Bloomberg report noted that Turlov once admired former President Joe Biden as well. In a more recent gesture, he added a cutout of tech magnate Elon Musk to his collection of role models.
In addition to his business ventures, Turlov also serves as the president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
