Russian voters will cast their ballots on Sunday to choose a new president from five candidates vying for the top job, with incumbent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin heavily favored to win his third presidential term.

The following is a brief profile of presidential candidate Sergei Mironov, an independent and billionaire:

Prokhorov was born in Moscow on May 3, 1965. He graduated in 1989 from the Moscow Finance Institute under the government of the Russian Federal and worked in the International Bank for Economic Cooperation from 1989 to 1992.

Prokhorov made his fortune in the 1990s by buying the Norilsk Nickel, which is now the world's largest nickel and palladium producer, and other state-owned companies.

He was also known for launching a private investment fund ONEXIM Group and Russia's largest gold producer Polyus Gold, and for purchasing the U.S. basketball team New Jersey Nets.

According to the 2011 Forbes listing, he is the third richest man in Russia with an estimated fortune of 18 billion U.S. dollars.

In May 2011, Prokhorov announced his plan to enter politics and was elected last June chairman of Russia's pro-business political party Right Cause. He then resigned from both the ONEXIM Group and the Polyus Gold.

However, in September, he was dismissed from the chairman post due to a party split and then quitted the Right Cause.

Prokhorov announced his presidential bid last December, vowing to simplify party registration process and implement political reforms if elected president. He also advocated an EU-oriented foreign policy.

Besides, the single billionaire said he would get married if he wins the election or become a prime minister under a victorious Putin.