Pavel Durov is a Russian entrepreneur and the founder of the social networking site VK. He is also the CEO of Telegram, a messaging app with over 550 million monthly active users. Durov has been nicknamed “the Mark Zuckerberg of Russia” and “Russia’s Steve Jobs.”
Is Pavel Durov really a Billionaire?
Durov is a self-made billionaire, with an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion. He is one of the richest people in Russia and one of the youngest billionaires in the world.

When Did Pavel Durov Became a Billionaire?
In 2006, Pavel Durov created the social networking site VK, which quickly rose to become the largest social networking site in Russia. In 2013, Durov sold his stake in VK to the Mail.ru Group for $1.5 billion.
In 2014, Durov founded the messaging app Telegram, which has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.
Telegram has over 550 million active users and is used by many high-profile figures, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In April 2018, Durov announced that he had sold his remaining stake in Telegram to a consortium of investors for $1.7 billion. With this sale, Durov became a billionaire.
Pavel Durov: At a Glance
Full Name | Pavel Valeryevich Durov |
Professional Name | Pavel Durov |
Gender | Male |
Date of Birth | October 10, 1984 |
Place of Birth | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
Nationality | Russia |
Profession | Entrepreneur |
Net Worth | 15.1 Billion |
How Much is Pavel Durov Worth?
As of 2022, Durov’s net worth is estimated to be $15.1 billion, making him one of the richest men in Russia. His wealth comes from his stakes in VKontakte and Telegram, as well as his investments in other tech companies.
Durov is a controversial figure in Russia and has been involved in several high-profile scandals. He has been banned from entering Russia and currently resides in exile in Dubai.
Despite his tumultuous past, Durov remains an influential figure in the tech world. He is a respected entrepreneur and his companies have been instrumental in shaping the social media landscape.
Parvel Durov Salary
In April 2018, Durov announced that he would be selling his stake in Telegram to investors and that he would be taking a salary of just $1 per year. This was seen as a way to keep control of the company while still being able to raise capital.
Durov’s low salary is in contrast to the high salaries of other tech CEOs. While Durov’s salary may seem low in comparison to other tech CEOs, it is important to remember that he is the founder and owner of Telegram.
He does not need to take a salary from the company in order to live a comfortable life.
In fact, Durov’s net worth is estimated to be $15.1 billion, which means he can afford to take a salary of just $1 per year and still be a billionaire.
How does Pavel Durov make money?
Durov started VKontakte in 2006, and it quickly became the largest social networking site in Russia. He sold his stake in the company in 2013 for an estimated $400 million.
Telegram was launched in 2013 and has quickly become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. The app is free to use, but Durov has plans to monetize it through features such as paid subscriptions and in-app purchases.
Durov has also invested in a number of other startups, including the search engine Yandex and the online payment service QIWI. He has also donated money to a number of causes, including the development of the Tor anonymity network.
Early Life of Pavel Durov
Durov was born on October 10, 1984, in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father, Nikolai Durov, was a Philologist at St. Petersburg State University, and his mother, Albina Durova, was an art historian. Durov has an older brother, Nikolai.
Durov attended St. Petersburg State University, where he studied Philology. He later dropped out of university to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. In 2006, Durov founded VKontakte, which quickly became the largest social networking site in Russia.
In 2013, Durov left VKontakte after disagreements with the Russian government. In 2014, Durov founded Telegram Messenger, a secure messaging app that has become popular with people who value privacy.
What is Pavel Durov Religion?
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, is an atheist. He has said that he does not believe in any gods and that religion is a “superstition” that is used to control people.
Durov has also said that he does not believe in fate or destiny and that people should be free to make their own choices.