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Billionaire Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram and Russia’s largest social network, VKontakte, is well-known in the tech world for his strong beliefs in privacy and freedom of speech. He has often challenged government censorship and focused on keeping user information secure.
However, Telegram’s owner recently faced problems when he was arrested in France in August 2024 on charges related to illegal activities on Telegram. These charges have not yet affected his net worth but might do so later.
So, how does Pavel Durov make money? This article looks at Pavel Durov’s current net worth as well as his background and career.
Key Takeaways
- According to Forbes, Pavel Durov’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be around $15.5 billion.
- Telegram’s user base reached 950 million in 2024, significantly boosting Durov’s net worth.
- Pavel Durov’s net worth reached a peak of $17.2 billion in 2021 due to a surge in Telegram users during the pandemic.
- Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 on serious charges related to illegal activities on Telegram, which has not yet affected his net worth.
- Despite his wealth, Durov leads a minimalist lifestyle and has made substantial charitable donations, such as $1 million to the Wikimedia Foundation.
Pavel Durov’s Net Worth
Pavel Durov’s net worth has fluctuated a lot over the years due to different reasons.
According to Forbes, the net worth of Pavel Durov reached its peak at $17.2 billion in 2021 because of a large increase in Telegram users during the pandemic. However, his net worth fell later due to economic problems and regulatory issues, dropping to $11.5 billion in 2023.
In 2024, Pavel Durov’s wealth returned to $15.5 billion, mainly because of the continued growth of Telegram’s user base and the revival of a cryptocurrency project.
Durov’s recent arrest in France has not yet affected his net worth. However, as the future of Telegram is under scrutiny, the case’s implications for the billionaire’s wealth are yet to be seen.
Pavel Durov’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be around $15.5 billion – making him the 120th richest person in the world, according to Forbes’s real-time billionaires list.
Current Net Worth
Wealth Fluctuations
The net worth of Pavel Durov has seen many ups and downs over the years, affected by his business ventures and changes in the global economy. However, his rapid rise made him one of the youngest billionaires in the tech industry.
In 2018, the Telegram owner’s net worth was $1.7 billion, mainly because he raised $1.7 billion for the Telegram Open Network (TON) cryptocurrency project. This project aimed to create a new blockchain platform and digital currency called “Gram.”
However, this plan was cut short when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shut down TON in 2020, saying that the sale of Grams did not follow U.S. financial laws. Despite this setback, Durov’s net worth increased to $3.4 billion in 2020 due to the growing popularity of the Telegram app.
The year 2021 was a turning point for Durov, with his net worth jumping to $17.2 billion. This increase was largely due to the global pandemic, which led to a higher demand for secure messaging apps like Telegram. As more people around the world looked for private communication platforms, Telegram’s user base grew rapidly, boosting its value and Pavel Durov’s wealth.
In 2022, his net worth slightly dropped to $15.1 billion because of market adjustments after the pandemic. In 2023, it fell further to $11.5 billion due to economic uncertainties and potential regulatory issues for tech companies.
By 2024, Durov’s net worth rose again to $15.5 billion. This was thanks to the continued growth of Telegram’s user base, which reached 950 million monthly active users, and the revival of the TON project by a group of developers.
The renewed interest in TON and the popularity of crypto games on Telegram have helped the platform stay strong despite economic challenges.
The Telegram CEO’s recent arrest has not yet affected his net worth in a trackable way.
Position at Telegram & Its Impact on Durov’s Wealth
Pavel Durov, who owns Telegram as its founder and CEO, has greatly increased his wealth due to the success of the messenger platform.
Durov first became known for creating VKontakte, Russia’s biggest social network, but he left the company in 2013 after conflicts with the Russian government over privacy and control.
He then founded Telegram, focusing on creating a messaging app that protected user privacy and security.
As Telegram CEO, Durov has led it to become one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, known for its strong encryption and focus on privacy, although it is slightly disputed.
His leadership is marked by a commitment to keeping Telegram independent and free from outside influence, which has appealed to many users who care about data privacy.
This approach helped Telegram grow quickly, especially during the pandemic when secure communication was in high demand.
Pavel Durov’s Arrest & Telegram Privacy Concerns
However, Pavel Durov’s role as CEO of Telegram is facing a major challenge with his recent arrest in France. Durov was detained when he arrived in Paris on August 24, 2024.
The Telegram founder was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport near Paris as part of an investigation by French authorities. The crimes he is being charged with include child pornography, drug trafficking, fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and refusing to cooperate with the police.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said that these charges are linked to activities on Telegram, suggesting that the app has been used for these illegal actions.
The arrest has caused a lot of debate.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Durov’s arrest but stressed that it was not politically motivated, even though some people think it might be. Macron said that the arrest was part of a legal investigation and that France remains committed to lawful free speech.
I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.
France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so.
In a state governed by the rule of law,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024
Durov’s arrest has also been criticized by Elon Musk, who argued that free speech in Europe is under threat.
POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme https://t.co/OkZ6YS3u2P
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 24, 2024
The Telegram app, which has nearly 1 billion users worldwide, is an important tool for communication, especially in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet countries.
If Durov is forced to cooperate with authorities or if the app is seen as no longer secure, it could lead to a loss of trust among its users.
Early Ventures & Education
Pavel Durov, born in 1984 in Leningrad, Soviet Union, now St. Petersburg, is best known as the Telegram founder and the founder of the social networking site VKontakte (VK).
His interest in technology started at a young age, inspired by his brother Nikolai, who was a skilled mathematician and programmer.
Durov spent part of his childhood in Italy before moving back to Russia, where he attended the D.K. Faddeev Academic Gymnasium, a specialized school in St. Petersburg. Pavel Durov’s education at this school laid the foundation for his tech career since this is where he developed a strong interest in computers and programming.
After graduating from Saint Petersburg State University in 2006 with a degree in philology, Durov, along with his brother and a few friends, created VKontakte.
VKontakte was originally meant to be a social network for university students, similar to Facebook. However, it quickly grew in popularity, reaching a larger audience and becoming Russia’s biggest social networking site. VKontakte allowed users to connect, share photos and videos, and communicate with each other, making it a popular platform in Russia and nearby countries. By 2008, it had millions of users and was one of the most visited websites in Russia.
Durov’s success with VKontakte earned him the title of “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg” and contributed to his status as one of the world’s youngest billionaires. However, his relationship with the Russian government became difficult because he refused to cooperate with officials who wanted to censor content and access user information.
In 2014, under growing government pressure and a takeover by Kremlin-connected investors, Durov was forced to sell his share and leave VKontakte.
This experience led him to create the Telegram app, a messaging tool focused on privacy and security, which he launched in 2013.
Personal Life & Real Estate
Durov keeps his private life out of the spotlight and rarely shares details about what he does outside of his business. However, some information about his lifestyle and real estate choices has become public over the years.
Despite his private nature, there has been curiosity about Pavel Durov’s wife. However, he is not married. Durov has five children with two ex-girlfriends and recently revealed that he donated sperm, leading to him fathering over 100 children. Little else is known about his family life.
Durov left Russia in 2014 after he refused to meet government demands to censor content on VKontakte and give user data to the authorities.
Where does Pavel Durov live these days?
After leaving Russia, Durov traveled to many countries and lived a nomadic lifestyle.
He eventually settled in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is now based, which is known for its business-friendly environment and low taxes.
In 2021, Durov obtained French citizenship through a fast-track process for high-profile individuals, even though he had never lived in France. This type of citizenship is rare and usually requires a lot of political support, showing Durov’s international influence.
He is also reported to have citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and possibly in St. Kitts and Nevis.
As for real estate, Durov is known for his simple lifestyle. In his most recent interview with Tucker Carlson in April 2024, he said he owned no property like real estate or boats and that his only assets were money and Bitcoin (BTC).
However, it is believed that he owns luxury properties in Dubai, where he currently lives.
Philanthropy & Spending
Durov does not often talk about his charitable activities, but he has made some public donations that show his values.
For example, in 2014, after he left Russia, Durov donated $1 million to the Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia.
However, even as the person who owns Telegram, Durov’s spending is quite modest. He is known for living a minimalist lifestyle, choosing simplicity over luxury.
The Bottom Line
The founder of Telegram has seen his net worth change a lot over the years because of different factors, like economic shifts, regulatory issues, and the growth of Telegram’s user base.
In 2024, Pavel Durov’s net worth is estimated at $15.5 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world.
However, his recent arrest in France in August 2024 has created new challenges. Although these legal issues have not affected his net worth yet, they could impact his finances and the future of Telegram and TON cryptocurrency.
