Tatiana Kim, regarded as the richest woman in Russia and the founder of Wildberries, divorced her husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, following a shootout.
On the 11th (local time), according to Russian media including MK, Kim said on her Telegram, "The court has approved the divorce." Bakalchuk also announced the divorce news on Telegram by posting a song by Russian singer Valery Kipelov, saying, "I am as free as a bird in the sky."
Kim, an ethnic Korean, is regarded as the richest woman in Russia. She founded Wildberries in 2004 while on maternity leave and grew it into the largest e-commerce company in Russia. Forbes Russia estimated her net worth at $7.2 billion (approximately 10.5 trillion won) last year.
However, Kim and Bakalchuk were reportedly in conflict over business issues. In particular, in June of last year, when a plan was announced for Wildberries to merge with Russia's largest outdoor advertising company, RUS Outdoor, Bakalchuk opposed it, which completely soured their relationship.
Kim filed for divorce against Bakalchuk in July of last year, and in September of the same year, a shootout occurred at the Wildberries headquarters. Bakalchuk, along with sturdy Namsung, went to the office, saying he would negotiate, and clashed with a security guard hired by Kim, resulting in fatalities during the shootout.
Disputes over assets continue even after the divorce. Bakalchuk, who holds 1% equity in Wildberries, is demanding half of the shares from Kim as part of the divorce settlement, as she founded Wildberries using her own funds. The court hearing on asset partitioning is set for the 18th.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Kim and Bakalchuk, who maintained their marriage for 22 years, have seven children. All the children will be raised by Kim, while Bakalchuk will maintain visitation rights and pay child support.