Valentin Gapontsev
Valentin P. Gapontsev (23 February 1939 – 22 October 2021)[1] was a Russian-American billionaire, and the founder, CEO, and chairman of IPG Photonics. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at US$2.3 billion.[2]
Valentin Gapontsev | |
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![]() Gapontsev in 2011 | |
Born | Valentin P. Gapontsev 23 February 1939 |
Died | 22 October 2021 82) | (aged
Citizenship | Russian and American |
Education | Lviv Polytechnic National University Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology |
Known for | Founder, CEO and chairman, IPG Photonics |
Spouse(s) | Married |
Children | 1 |
Early life
Valentin Gapontsev was born in Moscow, the son of an artillery captain.[3] The family moved to Lviv in 1946, and he spent the next 20 years there.[3] He was educated at Lviv Polytechnic National University and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.[2]
In 2020, Forbes ranked him No. 359 on the Forbes 400 of the richest people in America.[4]
Career
In 1990, Gapontsev founded IPG Photonics.[2]
Gapontsev and his family own 47.6% of IPG.[5]
In 2011, Gapontsev received the Russian Federation National Award in Science and Technology.[1]
Personal life
He was married, with one child, and lived in Worcester, Massachusetts.[2]
Gapontsev died on 22 October 2021. The cause of death is unknown, but it is known that he had cancer.[6]
References
- "Valentin Gapontsev". kremlin.ru. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- "Forbes profile: Valentin Gapontsev". Forbes. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- "Independent Thinker: Valentin Gapontsev of IPG Photonics". spie.org. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- "Valentin Gapontsev & family". Forbes. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- MAIN, Peter S. Cohan WALL &. "Valentin Gapontsev, Worcester's aging billionaire". telegram.com. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- "Умер российский миллиардер Валентин Гапонцев". www.azerbaycan24.com. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.