This post is about Viktor Bout Net Worth and Viktor Bout biography. Viktor Anatolyevich Bout is a well-known Russian arms dealer.
Viktor Anatolyevich Bout has experience as a weapons manufacturer. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Bout smuggled weapons from Eastern Europe to Africa and the Middle East.
Viktor Bout Biography
Viktor Bout is recognized as a prominent Russian arms dealer, entrepreneur, and former Soviet military translator.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Bout used his various companies. His aim was to smuggle weapons from Eastern Europe to Africa and the Middle East.
This illegal activity took place between the 1990s and early 2000s.
Viktor Bout, known for his involvement in arms dealing, was released from US custody. This release was part of a prisoner exchange that also involved US basketball star, Brittney Griner.
Viktor Bout Age
Viktor Bout, a name synonymous with the world of arms dealing, was born on January 13, 1967, in Dushanbe, Tajik SSR, Soviet Union.
Fast forward to today, and he’s 57 years old, now an American citizen. But back then, he was known as Viktor Anatolyevich Baut.
Viktor Bout Height
Viktor Bout Height is 5 feet 11 inches. He is quite a tall man.
Viktor Bout Parents
His father’s name remains a mystery, but his mother’s name is Raisa Bout, and he has a brother named Sergei Bout.
Viktor Bout Education
Before he made headlines as an arms dealer, Viktor Bout attended Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
After graduating, he embarked on a journey to New York City, to chase his musical dreams. Eventually, he found himself in Los Angeles, where he still resides.
Viktor Bout Wife
In 1992, Viktor Bout tied the knot with Alla Vladimirovna Bout, who has been his steadfast and loving companion.
Viktor Bout Children
The couple also welcomed a daughter, Elizaveta Bout, into their lives in 1994, born in the United Arab Emirates.
Viktor Bout Career
Viktor Bout Military Career
Before venturing into the arms trade, Viktor Bout served in the Soviet Armed Forces and even graduated from the Soviet Military Institute of Foreign Languages.
Quite the linguist, he mastered five foreign languages: Portuguese, English, French, Arabic, and Farsi, with a dash of Esperanto for good measure. Now, you might be wondering about his exact military role.
Well, that’s a bit of a mystery, with various claims suggesting different ranks and affiliations. According to his personal website, he was a lieutenant and translator in the Soviet Army, but details about his military career are scarce.
Some say he was a lieutenant colonel, a major in the GRU, an officer in the Soviet Air Forces, a graduate of a military intelligence program, or an operative of the KGB.
During the late 1980s, Bout took part in a Soviet military mission in Angola, supporting the MPLA during the Angolan Civil War.
His stay in Angola, he claims, was brief, lasting only a few weeks, but he used that time wisely, picking up the Xhosa and Zulu languages.
Viktor Bout Weapons Keep
Between 1996 and 1998, Bout was accused of smuggling weapons from Bulgaria to Africa. The weapons were potentially intended for UNITA in Angola.
Bout faced accusations of providing weapons to Charles Taylor during Liberia’s civil conflict. He was also implicated in arms trafficking during the Yugoslav wars.
In 2004, Bout and Richard Chichakli started an airline in Tajikistan, suspected of money laundering. Bout was believed to have provided weapons to various African groups. He was also alleged to have sent missiles to Kenya for an attack on an Israeli airliner.
His business presence extended to Libya. Authorities could only prosecute Bout for arms smuggling in Africa. This limitation was due to his constant movement and involvement in various business operations.
Viktor Bout Net Worth and Viktor Bout Wife, Brother, Height, Bio-Data
| Real Name/Full Name | Viktor Anatolyevich Bout |
| Nick Name | Merchant of Death |
| Gender | Male |
| Date Of Birth | 13 January 1967 |
| Age | 57 years old |
| Birth Place | Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Soviet Union |
| Parents Name | Father– Raisa Bout Mother– NA |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Weight | 73 kg |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Siblings | Sergei Bout (brother ) |
| Languages | English |
| Religion | NA |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Zodiac | Capricorn |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse Name | Alla Vladimirovna Bout (m. 1992) |
| Children | One Child (Elizaveta Bout) |
| Profession | Arms Dealer |
| Viktor Bout Net Worth | $50 Million |
Viktor Bout As A Public Figure – Social Media Influencer
| Social Media Site | Linked Destination |
| Viktor Bout Facebook | Click Here |
| Viktor Bout Instagram | Click Here |
| Viktor Bout Twitter | Click Here |
| Viktor Bout Linkedin | Not available |
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Viktor Bout Arrest & Extradition
Now, let’s delve into the dark side of Viktor Bout’s life. Between 1996 and 1998, he faced accusations of smuggling weapons from Bulgaria to Africa, potentially destined for UNITA in Angola.
Bout was also implicated in providing arms to Charles Taylor during Liberia’s civil conflict and being part of arms trafficking during the Yugoslav wars.
His business ventures extended to Libya, but authorities could only pin him down for arms smuggling in Africa due to his constant movement and involvement in various business operations.
In 2000, Bout faced a conviction in absentia in the Central African Republic, although those charges were eventually dropped. In 2002, a Belgian Interpol notice for money laundering was dismissed.
Things took a serious turn in 2004 when his assets were frozen. Subsequently, in 2008, Bout was arrested in Bangkok under a US-issued Interpol red notice.
Initially, his extradition hearing ruled in his favor, but an appeal overturned that decision, leading to his extradition to the US in 2010. This move drew criticism from Russia and sanctions on those involved.
Viktor Bout Prosecution & Conviction
After his Bangkok arrest, Viktor Bout found himself facing charges from the US Department of Justice, including conspiracy to kill US citizens and officials, conspiracy to supply resources to a foreign terrorist organization, and conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles.
Additional charges were piled on in early 2010. After a trial, Viktor Bout was found guilty by a federal court in Manhattan in November 2011 and sentenced to 25 years in prison in April of the following year.
Viktor Bout Net Worth Peak
As of 2024, Viktor Bout net worth stands at around $50 million. His arms dealing career raked in millions, contributing significantly to his financial success.
Viktor Bout Movie
A film on Viktor Bout exists. Lord of War is the title, and it was published in 2005. It features Nicolas Cage as the fictional arms dealer Yuri Orlov, who is modeled heavily on Bout.
The movie charts Orlov’s ascent from a lowly translator for the Soviet military to one of the most influential arms traffickers in the world. It demonstrates how he used the anarchy of the post-Cold War era to fund and arm terrorist organizations all across the world.
With over $130 million in worldwide sales, Lord of War was a critical and financial triumph. It received high marks for its acting, realistic portrayal of the armaments trade, and thought-provoking issues.
The Notorious Mr. Bout is another movie about Viktor Bout. The documentary from 2014 chronicles Bout’s life and career. The movie includes Bout’s own interviews in addition to those with journalists, law enforcement authorities, and other experts.
A well-made and educational documentary, The Notorious Mr. Bout offers a fascinating look at one of history’s most notorious arms dealers.
Viktor Bout’s Exchange with Brittney Griner
Now, here’s an interesting twist in the tale. In July 2022, reports started swirling about a proposed trade by the Biden administration.
The release of WNBA standout Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout was the main focus of this exchange. Griner was facing charges related to drug possession. On December 8, 2022, the exchange finally became a reality.
Viktor Bout’s Media Spotlight
Throughout the years, Viktor Bout has been the subject of intense media scrutiny. In 2005, a chapter in Nick Kochan’s e-book, “The Washing Machine,” delved into his story.
The same year, he served as the inspiration for the crime film “Lord of War,” featuring Nicolas Cage as an international arms dealer.
In 2014, the documentary “The Notorious Mr. Bout” shed further light on his life. He also made appearances in episodes of the documentary series “Manhunt: Kill or Capture” and “Damian Lewis: Spy Wars.”
In a world filled with intrigue and controversy, Viktor Bout’s story stands as a testament to the dark underbelly of the arms trade, a chapter that continues to intrigue and captivate us all.
FAQ – Viktor Bout Net Worth Viktor Bout Bio
What is Viktor Bout Real Name?
Viktor Bout Real Name is Viktor Anatolyevich Bout.
What is Viktor Bout net worth?
Viktor Bout net worth is to be $50 Million in 2024.
What is the Nationality of Viktor Bout?
Viktor Bout’s nationality is Russian.
What is Viktor Bout nickname?
Viktor Bout nickname Merchant of Death.
Where is Viktor Bout now?
Viktor BBout joined the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia in 2022 and stood to run for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ulyanovsk Oblast as a member of the LDPR on July 2, 2023. out is currently in Russia.