
Pavel Durov's life and career have been quite the rollercoaster. He was born in 1984 in Leningrad, Russia.
Pavel Durov's rise to fame began with his creation of the social network VKontakte, which quickly gained popularity in Russia and beyond. It's still one of the most widely used social media platforms in Russia today.
Durov's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop at VKontakte, as he went on to develop Telegram, a messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption and focus on user privacy.
Early Life
Pavel Durov was born in 1984 in Leningrad, which is now known as Saint Petersburg. He grew up in a family of intellectuals - his father is a professor of classical philology and his mother is also a teacher.
Pavel's father, Valeriy Durov, is an expert in ancient history and was a professor at Saint Petersburg State University. He even ran the department of classical philology for over 20 years. His mother, Al'bina Durova, was also a teacher at the same university.

Pavel's family moved to Turin, Italy, when he was six years old, because his father had a job there. He attended school in Turin from 1990 to 1992. After that, they returned to Saint Petersburg, and Pavel started at school number 160.
Four years later, he transferred to the prestigious Academy Gymnasium at Saint Petersburg State University.
VKontakte
Pavel Durov, the creator of VKontakte, started working on the social network in 2006 when he was just 22 years old.
He took the idea from the American social network Facebook, which was also his inspiration for the site's features.
Initially, VKontakte was designed for students, but later it was expanded to a broader audience.
Durov registered the domain vkontakte.ru on October 1, 2006, marking the official launch of the site.
The site quickly gained popularity, with users able to search for friends, write personal messages, and publish photos.
By the end of 2007, VKontakte had over three million users, and it became the most popular site in Russia the following year.
Durov's friend and business partner, Vячеслав Мирилашвили, played a crucial role in the development of VKontakte.
Miрилашвили took a loan from his father's company to help launch the project.
Durov and Miрилашвили were among the founders of the company that developed VKontakte, with Durov holding a minority share.
Controversies and Bans
Pavel Durov's Telegram has been at the center of several controversies and bans, particularly in Russia. In April 2018, Telegram was blocked in Russia by a court order, but it continued to work in the country.
The block was due to the FSB's request for Telegram to provide encryption keys to read user conversations, which Telegram refused to do, citing that the keys are stored on user devices, not on the messenger's servers.
Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, has been vocal about the company's commitment to user privacy and security, even if it means defying government requests.
Why Was I Banned in Russia?
I was banned in Russia in April 2018 due to a court decision, after the FSB requested that Telegram provide encryption keys to read user conversations.
The FSB claimed that Telegram was used to plan a terrorist attack in a St. Petersburg metro, but Telegram refused to comply, citing that the encryption keys were stored on user devices, not on their servers.
This refusal was seen as a challenge to the Russian Constitution by Telegram.
Despite the ban, Telegram continued to operate in Russia, used by both ordinary citizens and high-ranking officials.
The Ministry of Communications, the General Prosecutor's Office, and the Kremlin all had their own channels on Telegram.
The ban didn't seem to have a significant impact on Telegram's popularity in Russia, with 30 million out of 400 million active users being from Russia by May 2020.
In fact, Telegram's growth in Russia was similar to its growth in other countries.
The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, even commented that the ban "didn't work" in terms of reducing Telegram's user base in Russia.
Ukrainian Student Requests to Block 'Mirotvorets' Website
A Ukrainian student from Luhansk requested that Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, block the website "Mirotvorets" due to its threatening nature towards children.
The student, Faina Savenkova, was listed on the website at the age of 12. She's now a student in Luhansk and wants the website blocked.
Louvre Theft Comments

The Louvre theft was a brazen heist, with thieves posing as workers to steal French crown jewels.
Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram, wasn't surprised by the museum's theft, saying it didn't shock him at all.
Durov's own life has been marked by depression, which even prevented him from celebrating his birthday.
Millions of people worldwide use Telegram, the messaging app created by Durov, making him a well-known and wealthy individual.
Durov believes the current youth generation is the last free one, whatever that means in the context of his life and experiences.
Kogda Perestal Otvlechat' Makronu
Durov revealed that he stopped responding to Macron in May, after the French president asked him to block conservative opposition forces in Romania on the eve of voting, but Durov refused.
Durov's refusal to comply with Macron's request suggests that he prioritizes freedom of expression and the rights of his users over political pressure.
Macron's request was made in the context of a voting process, implying that he wanted to limit the dissemination of information that might influence the outcome of the election.

Durov's Telegram platform has a history of being a hub for opposition voices and free speech, which might have made it an attractive target for those seeking to suppress dissenting opinions.
Durov's decision to stand firm in the face of political pressure is a testament to his commitment to the principles of his platform.
Personal Life
Pavel Durov's personal life is shrouded in mystery, but some facts have come to light. He is known to be private about his relationships and family.
Durov's alleged marriage to Daria Bondarenko has been reported, with some claiming they got married around 2008-2009. However, Durov has repeatedly denied this through his press service. Bondarenko is said to live in Spain and has two children, Aina and Mikhail, whom Durov is often referred to as their father.
Durov has also made a surprising revelation in 2024, stating that he is a sperm donor and can be considered the biological father of over 100 children. This comes as a shock to many, given the private nature of his personal life.
Where Does Live?

Where Does He Live?
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been living in Dubai since 2017.
The city is home to the messaging app's headquarters.
Durov is a citizen of Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and France.
He also holds citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which he obtained for investing in the country's economy.
Personal Life
Pavel Durov's personal life is somewhat of a mystery, but we do know that he met his long-time companion Darya Bondarenko during his university days. They allegedly got married around 2008-2009, although Durov's team has repeatedly denied this.
Darya Bondarenko lives in Spain and has two children with Durov, Aлина and Михаил, born in 2009 and 2019, respectively. Durov has also claimed to be a sperm donor, which would make him the biological father of over 100 children by 2024.
A woman named Irina Bulgakova claims to have been in a long-term relationship with Durov, resulting in three children: Lея, Даниэль, and Давид. However, their relationship reportedly ended with Durov stopping child support payments and allegedly treating their youngest son poorly, prompting Bulgakova to take the matter to court in 2014.
Career and Scandals
Pavel Durov's career is a fascinating story. He co-founded the social network VKontakte (VK) with his brother in 2006, which became the third most popular site in Russia by 2007.
Durov's entrepreneurial spirit led him to create a successful business, with VK's popularity and subsequent monetization making him one of the richest people in Russia by 2008.
However, his success was not without controversy. In 2012, Durov was involved in a scandalous performance where he and other top managers of VKontakte threw money from a window, causing a commotion and a fight among onlookers. The incident was widely criticized by Russian celebrities and authorities.
Durov's subsequent career has been marked by a series of high-profile projects, including the creation of the secure messaging app Telegram in 2013, and the blockchain platform TON in 2018. However, his ventures have not been without their challenges, with TON facing regulatory issues in the US and being shut down.
Почему Продал «ВКонтакте»?
In 2013, Pavel Durov finally sold his 12% stake in VKontakte, the social network he co-founded, to Ivan Tavrin, the general director of MegaFon.
Durov had been actively selling off his assets, including companies, real estate, and even furniture, to achieve his ideal of minimal ownership.
By the end of 2014, Mail.ru Group had acquired a majority stake in VKontakte, becoming the sole owner of the social network.
Durov's decision to sell his stake in VKontakte was a significant one, as it marked a major milestone in his efforts to reduce his personal wealth and influence.
The sale of his stake in VKontakte was a culmination of Durov's efforts to divest himself of his assets, which he had been doing for several years prior.
Durov's decision to sell his stake in VKontakte was also motivated by his desire to distance himself from the social network, which had become increasingly entangled in Russian politics.
Durov's departure from VKontakte as general director in April 2014 was a significant turning point in his career, marking the end of his direct involvement with the social network.
Following his departure, Durov announced that he had left Russia and had no plans to return, citing his public refusal to cooperate with Russian authorities as a major factor in his decision.
Durov's conflict with Russian authorities began in 2013, when the FSB requested that he hand over the personal data of organizers of the Euromaidan protests, which he refused to do.
This refusal was a direct result of Durov's commitment to protecting the privacy of his users, particularly those from Ukraine, whom he believed were not subject to Russian jurisdiction.
Durov's decision to stand up to Russian authorities had significant consequences, including his eventual departure from VKontakte and his decision to leave Russia.
Scandals
Pavel Durov's history is marred by several controversies that have made headlines in Russia and beyond.
Durov has been involved in multiple scandals, including a high-profile incident in 2012 when he and other top managers of VKontakte threw money out of a window in St. Petersburg, causing a commotion and a fight.
The same year, Durov was involved in a car accident where he allegedly ran over a traffic police officer, sparking a criminal investigation.
Durov's management style has also been criticized by former employees, who describe working under him as being part of a "cult" where he is seen as a "divine figure" and employees are reluctant to question his decisions.
In 2024, Durov was detained by French police for allegedly refusing to cooperate with them in investigating organized crime groups using Telegram, his messaging app.
Durov's personal life is also the subject of some controversy, with some accusing him of being a hypocrite for promoting a healthy lifestyle while being involved in scandals.
Income
Pavel Durov's income has been a subject of interest, and in 2011, he ranked 350th on the list of Russian billionaires, with an estimated wealth of 7.9 billion rubles.

By 2021, his wealth had grown significantly, reaching $17.2 billion, which is a remarkable increase.
This substantial growth in wealth has earned him a spot in the list of 200 wealthiest businessmen in Russia, as ranked by Forbes since 2016.
In 2021, he further solidified his position as a global business leader, ranking 112th on the list of world billionaires.
Swimming in Kazakh Lake; Staff to Be Punished
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, took a swim in a protected lake in Kazakhstan. He shared a photo of his swim on social media, which sparked a formal investigation by the national park.
The lake in question is the Kolsay Lake, a protected area. Durov's actions likely raised concerns about the lake's safety and the park's regulations.
Durov himself won't face any consequences for his swim, as the investigation is focused on the park's staff.
Career
Pavel Durov's career is a fascinating story. He co-founded the social network "VKontakte" (VK) with his brother Nikolai right after graduating from university.
The initial plan was to name it "Studnet.ru", but they changed their minds during development. VKontakte became free to register in late 2006 and by the next year, it was the third most popular site in Russia.
By 2007, Durov's social network was already generating revenue, making him one of the richest people in Russia. However, his success was short-lived as he faced pressure from Russian authorities who wanted access to user data and control over certain groups on the platform.
Durov eventually sold his stake in VKontakte and left Russia in 2014. He went on to create the messaging app Telegram, which he positioned as a secure means of communication.
Why Not Use a Mobile Phone
Durov, the creator of the encrypted messaging app, has shared his reason for not using a mobile phone. He was detained at Paris's airport due to France's suspicion of his app's involvement in narcotics trafficking and other crimes.
Durov's decision to avoid mobile phones is likely influenced by his experience with the scrutiny and potential risks associated with his work.
WhatsApp on the Brink: Calling Abroad Issues

It seems like WhatsApp and Telegram are on the verge of being slowed down. Russians still use some foreign messengers despite the ban on certain international social networks, and Telegram and WhatsApp are the most popular ones.
These messengers might soon be out of commission, though. It's been reported that some Russian lawmakers plan to "get rid" of "hostile" communication tools.
If this happens, making international calls will become a real challenge.
Pavel
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, is a strong advocate for freedom of expression. He responded to the murder of Charlie Kirk, an American conservative activist, by calling it an attack on freedom of speech.
Durov believes that freedom of expression is under threat worldwide. He has continued to defend this right through his social media platform, Telegram.
Durov's reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder was not his first public statement on the issue. He has been vocal about protecting freedom of speech and has used his platform to promote this cause.
The digital image of a rocket that accompanied Durov's statement was a lighthearted touch, but it also highlighted the seriousness of the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Как Дуров изменил внешность?
Дуров подвергся пластической операции, в результате которой были изменены размеры и форма ушных раковин, а также ширина ноздрей и форма носа. Изменения углов челюсти, скорее всего, были достигнуты с помощью косметологических процедур, таких как введение филлеров.
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