Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of adult‑content platform OnlyFans, has died of cancer at the age of 43, the company said in a statement on Monday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo Radvinsky. Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer,” an OnlyFans spokesperson said. “His family have requested privacy at this difficult time.”
Radvinsky, a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur, acquired Fenix International Limited, the parent company of OnlyFans, in 2018 and served as its director and majority shareholder.
The elusive businessman and computer programmer, who rarely gave public interviews, was also the founder of the adult cam site, MyFreeCams
He also ran Leo, a venture capital fund he founded in 2009 that focuses primarily on investments in technology companies.
OnlyFans, founded in 2016 by British entrepreneur Tim Stokely, surged in popularity during the Covid pandemic as lockdowns drove creators and consumers online, turning the subscription-based platform into a mainstream source of income and entertainment globally.
Radvinsky was the majority shareholder and director of the adult streaming platform up until his death, with OnlyFans being credited with revolutionising the sex industry.
Under his ownership, OnlyFans turned from a platform that once avoided explicit content into an adults-only phenomenon with more than 300 million users and over $1bn in annual revenue, powered by erotic performers and celebrity influencers.
Radvinsky’s death leaves questions about who will own the platform (Alamy/PA)
The firm behind OnlyFans has paid out eye-watering dividends to Mr Radvinsky since he acquired the company, with a record $701m (£522m) paid out in 2024 as the streaming site saw user numbers jump by almost a quarter to 377.5 million globally.
The company is headquartered and pays tax in the UK, but makes the majority of its money in the US.
Radvinsky’s death leaves questions about who will own the platform. His Fenix shares have been held in the LR Fenix Trust since 2024 and he had a net worth of about $4.7bn, according to the Forbes real-time billionaires list.
Reuters reported in January that OnlyFans was exploring the sale of a majority stake to investment firm Architect Capital in a deal valuing the company at about $5.5bn, including debt.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Radvinsky moved with his family to the United States when he was a child and they settled in Chicago.
The businessman studied economics at Northwestern University, near Chicago, Illinois, and graduated in 2002.
Prior to becoming the sole shareholder of OnlyFans’ parent company, Fenix, he founded an adult website referral business called Cybertania.