Russian girl beats 2,000 rivals to become wife of oil tycoon

Yulia Sveshnikova, 29 years old, justchosen by the children of oil tycoon Konstantin Scherbinin as the new bride for their fatherat the game show Millionaire for Marriage,Sunyesterday's news.

Mr. Scherbinin has five children, aged between 16 and 35, two of whom are older than Yulia, who will become their stepmother and his father's sixth wife.

Yulia will fly to Dubai for her honeymoon with her wealthy husband before enjoying life in villas in Moscow and Los Angeles, yachts, private planes and his fleet of luxury cars.

Three years ago, Yulia arrived in Moscow from Khabarovsk, a remote city in eastern Siberia, penniless. She then went to school and worked part-time as an events manager.

"I am a fearless person," she told viewers on U TV. "I decided to move to Moscow and I did it with empty pockets. Not everyone dares to do that."

Showing off her nearly $50,000 diamond ring, she proudly said: "Yes! Today I won. This is my ring. I am the winner. I did it. Who can do this?"

Mr. Scherbinin also had some compliments for his young wife: "Yulia, my princess. You are wonderful, kind, open and that made me fall in love. You gave me spring and that means a lot to a man. I feel your sincerity and appreciate it. But men are hunters, you need to understand this. They do not like easy prey."

The oil tycoon also expressed concern that there could be a rift between Yulia and his children, even though they helped their father choose a wife."The children are all I have right now. But today I chose you. I have never met a girl like you," he said.

He then shared his happiness with the audience that he "met a woman who didn't need my money but my heart."

Before that, Yulia had to face off with about 2,000 other girls who shared the same wish to become Mr. Scherbinin's wife. The candidates were given a few seconds to appear in front of this tycoon's children so that they could be examined from head to toe and then eliminated.

A 40-year-old woman was stabbed by Mr. Scherbinin's 16-year-old daughter."What are you doing here? My dad only likes young, hot girls. He'll get bored with you," Alexandra said.

Tatiana, 35, who is older than most of the contestants, eliminated another woman, a glamorous police detective: "We don't need any detectives in the house. You don't suit us."

Sofia, 20, criticized the 1.87m tall volleyball player: "My father likes tall girls but not this tall. We don't need monsters in the house."

Yulia eventually made it to the finals against Maria Praim, 30, and Anna Kim, 34, and she won.

Mr. Scherbinin, who has been married and divorced five times and has children, said he has had three other serious relationships besides his marriages and wants this to be his last.

"Dad, I love you so much and want you to be happy. We always support you and are by your side. I hope you make the right choice this time," said daughter Tatiana.

Mr. Scherbinin and Yulia have not yet determined the wedding date..