‘I found out I was billionaire from the news’ – Moldovan student
Published 23 October, 2008, 07:04
A student from Moldova who became an overnight billionaire has spoken of his amazement at inheriting a fortune from an uncle he barely knew. Sergey Sudev revealed he only found out about his 950 million euro ($1.2bn) windfall through the news – and has already received letters asking for financial help.
Sergey is now one of the richest men in his homeland after inheriting the cash from his uncle, who he hadn’t seen in 10 years. He was at work at a local radio station when he saw the news on the wires.
“I read it and thought that it was about me. Then I received a phone call from his authorised representatives and it started,” he said.
Sergey barely knew his uncle who had emigrated to Germany. As he didn’t keep in touch with his family back in Moldova, nobody knows what made him leave such an unbelievable fortune to his nephew.
Whatever the reason, once Sergey signed the papers, his life changed. Although he doesn’t even have access to the money yet, he has already started receiving letters begging for help. Local people call him “multik” – short for 'multimillionaire'.
Moldovan authorities are keeping their fingers crossed that the Sergey, as a potential investor, will stay in the struggling republic. The country is one of the poorest in Europe with the average monthly salary just $US 350 and GDP per capita standing at $US 1,500.
Sergey, who has rocketed up Moldova’s rich-list, says that he remains calm. He is still working on the radio and writing his diploma thesis. This may be wise – there are rumours that the German uncle had a daughter.
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