Pop star Alsou Safina – daughter of Ralif Safin, first vice president of Russia's biggest oil company, LUKoil – got a lavish present from her parents for her 18th birthday: a luxurious apartment in Moscow's center, the weekly 7 Dnei wrote.

Until recently, the oil exec had had a different view of such things. "You will live with us until you get married," 7 Dnei quoted him as having said.

Marriage does not seem to be a problem for Alsou. Many young, handsome and successful men are obviously waiting in line. In addition to her looks and stage success, Alsou earns quite a bit on her own. And considering LUKoil's net profit was $3.3 billion last year – which presumably means some massive compensation packages for the company's top officials – she's a maid with quite a dowry.

"Money is not a bad thing and finding a way of spending it is not a problem," Alsou said, in answering a question about her income and spending.

"Sometimes, I loan money to my older brother, who lives with his family in London. In all honesty, I enjoy being free to decide how to spend what I've earned. How much would I like to have? Well, you can never have too much of a good thing."

Alsou combines her stage career with studying and, in a contract she signed with a Western record label, there is a paragraph to the effect that each step of her career will require the permission of her parents and that her work cannot interfere with her education.

Nevertheless, Alsou confessed that, due to a tight stage schedule, she did not attend classes last year. Instead, she studied with a private tutor and passed her graduation exams successfully. Next year, she plans to enroll in an institution of higher education to study clothing design.

"I've made my choice of occupation," Alsou told 7 Dnei. "But the more knowledge, the better. Besides, designer skills will be useful for me in show business."

Asked about her plans for the future, Alsou said: "I'm a person with healthy ambitions and I dream of doing something better than others do. Today, my goal is to win a Grammy Award."