By Samannay Biswas

Copyright timesnownews

Dubai, known as a global hub of luxury and wealth, is home to some of the richest individuals in the world. Surprisingly, the city’s wealthiest resident is not an Emirati royal or oil magnate, it’s Pavel Durov, the Russian-born tech entrepreneur behind the encrypted messaging app Telegram, with a net worth of $17.1 billion as of September 2025. From Russia to Global Tech Fame Born on October 10, 1984, in St. Petersburg, Durov studied philology at St. Petersburg State University. At just 22, he co-founded VKontakte (VK.com), Russia’s largest social network, which grew to over 100 million users. Known as “Russia’s Zuckerberg,” Durov gained a reputation for innovation and bold business decisions. However, his refusal to cooperate with Russian authorities by providing user data forced him to sell his stake in VK and leave the country. In 2013, Durov launched Telegram, a free encrypted messaging app that quickly became a global competitor to WhatsApp and Messenger. Unlike most tech giants, Telegram remains entirely owned by Durov, making it his primary source of wealth. Why Dubai? After years of moving across countries, Durov settled in Dubai in 2017, drawn by the UAE’s tax-friendly policies and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Today, he resides in a luxurious 15,000 sq. ft. mansion in Jumeirah Islands. Dubai not only offers him a safe base for his global business but also a lifestyle befitting a billionaire entrepreneur. A Controversial Personal Life Durov’s life extends beyond tech fame. He has five children with two ex-girlfriends and has claimed to have fathered around 100 children through sperm donation. In 2024, he offered to cover IVF costs for women using his sperm, further fueling global curiosity about his personal life. All of his children are set to inherit portions of his $17 billion fortune, highlighting his unconventional approach to legacy. Standing Up for Privacy and Free Speech Durov has also made headlines for his firm stance on digital freedom. On September 28, 2025, he accused French intelligence of pressuring him to censor Moldovan Telegram channels during the country’s elections. He refused to comply, reaffirming Telegram’s commitment to free speech, even amid ongoing legal supervision in France following a 2024 arrest. Global Influence and Legacy With millions of followers across social media platforms, Durov continues to be a powerful voice in tech, advocating for privacy and independence. He exemplifies the intersection of innovation, defiance, and digital freedom, making him a unique figure not just in Dubai but in the global tech ecosystem. Pavel Durov’s story is one of resilience and vision, proving that a billionaire’s journey doesn’t always follow tradition—sometimes, it charts its own digital course.