Date of Birth: October 10, 1984
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
Pavel Valeryevich Durov is a renowned Russian-born entrepreneur and the mastermind behind two of the most influential tech companies in the world. Born in St. Petersburg, Durov is best known as the founder of VKontakte (VK), Russia’s largest social network, and Telegram, an encrypted messaging service that has gained global acclaim for its focus on privacy and security. Durov’s journey into the tech world began during his university years at Saint Petersburg State University, where he studied philology. In 2006, he co-founded VKontakte, which quickly grew to become one of the most popular social networking sites in Russia and Eastern Europe. However, due to increasing pressure from Russian authorities and disagreements with the new shareholders, Durov was forced out of VK in 2014. Undeterred by this setback, Durov launched Telegram later that same year. Telegram has since distinguished itself as a secure and user-friendly messaging platform, boasting over 500 million active users as of 2021. Known for his staunch advocacy for digital privacy and free speech, Durov has often been compared to American tech entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg.
5 Interesting Facts about Pavel Durov
1. Pavel Durov is sometimes referred to as the “Russian Mark Zuckerberg” due to his creation of VKontakte.
2. He holds citizenship in multiple countries, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, to maintain his freedom of movement.
3. Durov is known for his minimalist lifestyle, often wearing all-black clothing and avoiding material excess.
4. He was forced to leave Russia in 2014 after refusing to hand over user data to the Russian government.
5. In 2017, Durov was included in Forbes’ list of the world’s most influential people under 30.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pavel Durov
1. “Privacy is ultimately about power. The more we give away, the more we place ourselves in the hands of others.”
2. “Telegram is not meant to bring profit. It is here to ensure you stay free.”
3. “Maintaining your integrity in the face of pressure is the ultimate act of courage.”
4. “Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.”
5. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
As of 2022, Pavel Durov’s highest net worth was estimated to be approximately $17.2 billion.
Children
Publicly, Pavel Durov has not disclosed detailed information about his children, maintaining a private personal life.
Relevant Links
1. [Pavel Durov – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Durov
2. [Pavel Durov on Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/profile/pavel-durov/?sh=3a5a7b447a4c
5. [Pavel Durov’s Quotes on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/10287778.Pavel_Durov
