Roman Abramovich & Dasha Zhukova: The Civilized Billionaire Art-World Split

What Happened

Roman Abramovich’s second divorce came in 2018 when he and Dasha Zhukova announced their separation after ten years of marriage. Unlike the bitter fight with Irina, this split was described as entirely amicable. The couple issued a joint statement emphasizing their continued friendship and commitment to co-parenting their two children.

The most complex aspect of the divorce was the art. Dasha Zhukova was the founder of the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, one of Russia’s most important cultural institutions. The couple had amassed one of the world’s most valuable private art collections, reportedly including works by Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, and Alberto Giacometti worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Dividing an art collection in divorce is notoriously complicated. Unlike stocks or real estate, art has subjective value, is illiquid, and may have emotional significance that outweighs market price. Each piece needs independent appraisal, and the tax consequences of transferring art can be significant — art is often held in freeport storage specifically to defer tax obligations.

The settlement terms were kept private. Both parties moved on quickly: Dasha married Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos in 2019. Abramovich later faced severe financial complications from Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including the forced sale of Chelsea FC. The divorce’s timing — before sanctions — may have inadvertently protected a portion of the family’s wealth.

Legal Breakdown: Art Collection Division

What This Means for Your Divorce