Boris Berezovsky, one of the most influential figures in modern Russian politics, died on March 23, 2013. He was 67. Born in Moscow in 1946, Boris was a mathematics prodigy and graduated from Moscow State University in 1969. He became a prominent businessman during post-Soviet Russia's transition to a market economy, amassing huge wealth in banking and oil. He was also involved in several politically controversial activities, such as backing a coup to remove president Boris Yeltsin. In 2000, Boris entered into a feud with Vladimir Putin as he used his influence to lobby against the future Russian president. Following Putin's election as president, Boris considered himself persecuted by the Putin administration and was eventually forced to flee Russia in 2000. Boris sought refuge in London, where he became an outspoken critic of the Putin administration. In 2007, he accused the Kremlin of poisoning another political opposition leader, Alexander Litvinenko, a charge the Russian government denied. Boris eventually lost a $6 billion court case with Roman Abramovich in 2012 and vanished from public life. He died peacefully at his home in London surrounded by family and friends. Boris is survived by his three children and former wife, Galina. He will be remembered as a prominent and flamboyant figure in modern Russia.