Yuri Milner is a prominent figure in the world of technology and investment. His investment company, DST Global, invested in many of the most prominent technology names of the present era, such as Facebook, Spotify, Alibaba and Airbnb. As a result of his business activities, his estimated net worth has risen and fallen over the years, but it still places him among the richest persons in the technology industry.
Well, would you like to approximate his net worth? We are delighted to inform you about Yuri Milner net worth. This article also provides information about his biodata, early life, career, and social media profile.
Biodata
| Full Name | Yuri Borisovich (Bentsionovich) Milner |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 1961 |
| Age | 63 Years |
| Birth of Place | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Gender | Male |
| Parents | Bentsion Zakharovitch and Betty Iosifovna Milner |
| Spouse | Julia Bochkova |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Scientist, Philanthropist |
| Yuri Milner Net Worth | $7 Billion |
Who is Yuri Milner?
Yuri Milner is an entrepreneur, scientist, venture capitalist, and philanthropist. Through his firm, DST Global, he is a highly successful venture capitalist known for his early investments in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Airbnb, Alibaba, and many others. He is also the founder of the Breakthrough Prizes, the world’s most significant science prizes, awarded annually in Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences, and Mathematics.
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Early Life
Born on November 11, 1961, in Moscow, Yuri Milner was raised in an intellectual Jewish family. His father, Bentsion Zakharovitch Milner, was a noted academic and writer on economics, particularly American methods of business management. His mother, Betty Iosifovna Milner, was a state-employed physician at a virological laboratory.
The young man decided to follow the scientific path further and get a theoretical physics degree from Moscow State University in 1985. He then proceeded to the Lebedev Physical Institute, an eminent research institution, and did his research on quantum field theory.
In 1989, Milner started getting acquainted with the business environment when he continued his doctoral trials. He understood the potential for sales in personal computers and began selling computers in the Soviet Union. This entrepreneurial experience, in addition to his emerging interest in the West, pushed him towards an MBA at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in 1990. He was among the pioneers of Soviet students who did not emigrate from that country to study in the United States.
Career
After completing his MBA at Wharton, Milner joined the World Bank in Washington D.C. in the early 1990s. His role as a Russian banking specialist focused on developing the private sector banking system in the former Soviet Union.
In 1995, he assumed the position of chief executive officer in the stock broking firm Alliance Menatep, which belonged to Russian billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky. In the later part of the following year, Milner was appointed as the vice president and director of investment management at Menatep Bank, after which he went on to become the deputy chair of the Bank. However, he soon realized his true passion lay in the burgeoning internet industry.
NetBridge and Mail.ru Group
When Milner arrived back in Russia in 1999, he established an investment firm devoted to internet companies such as NetBridge. He was the first to spot the potential of Mail.ru, an emailing service. He made several acquisitions to evolve it into Mail.ru Group, which grew to become one of the dominant forces on the Russian internet. Milner was the CEO of Mail.ru Group for a period spanning two years from 2001 to 2003 where he overseeing its growth and expansion.
DST Global
Milner became one of the founding members of Digital Sky Technologies (DST) in 2005, later known as DST Global. The firm deals primarily with private equity investments and aims to disrupt the current scenario of venture capital investing. DST Global was more of a dysfunctional venture that targeted only late-stage investments in already successful internet companies since it meant that the founders were not expected to give significant equity to the investors, who provided the capital for growth. This approach became incredibly effective, and DST Global made early and profitable investments in such:
Facebook: In 2009, DST Global took a risk by investing $200 million in Facebook, which also played a major role in reinforcing Milner perception as a visionary investor.
Twitter: For the second time, DST Global made a great investment by investing in Twitter, which increased the social media investments in its portfolio.
Global Expansion: DST Global portfolio expanded rapidly to include a diverse range of tech giants, including Spotify, Airbnb, Alibaba, and many others, demonstrating Milner ability to identify promising companies across different sectors and geographies.
Yuri Milner Net Worth
Yuri Milner net worth is estimated to be $7 billion as of 2024. He is a Russian-born, Israeli tech investor who made his fortune through early investments in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, and Airbnb. He is the founder of investment firm DST Global.
Milner has since sold his stakes in Facebook and Twitter, but continues to invest in a variety of technology companies through DST Global. In addition, he is quite popular as a philanthropist. He founded the Breakthrough Prize, a series of international prizes awarded for breakthroughs in fundamental understanding of physics, life sciences, and mathematics.
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Yuri Milner Yacht
Yuri Milner allegedly owns a superyacht. But up to the present, the identity of the superyacht has not been clear. Here are the details:
1. The Multiverse
This 115-meter (381-foot) explorer yacht was initially built for New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart but was reportedly sold to Milner.
Key features:
- Built for long expeditions with a focus on exploration and adventure
- Can accommodate 30 guests in 15 suites and 36 crew members
- Distinctive owners suite with wrap-around forward-facing windows for panoramic views
- Designed by H2 Yacht Design with an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic
- Estimated value: $275 million
2. The Andromeda
Previously named “Ulysses,” this 107-meter (352-foot) luxury expedition yacht was also built for Graeme Hart and later reportedly sold to Milner.
Key features:
- Spacious interior with accommodations for up to 30 guests and 30 crew members
- Luxurious facilities such as a jacuzzi, swimming pool, fitness center, movie theater and a helipad with a hangar.
- Equipped in Germany by the Finnish manufacturer Europlan
- Estimated value: $129 million
Yuri Milner House
His residence is in Silicon Valley. In 2011, he made headlines for purchasing a lavish estate in Los Altos Hills for a staggering $100 million. At the time, this purchase was believed to be the most ever paid-for single-family home in the United States.
Spanning 25,500 square feet, the main house boasts a classic French chateau design.The property sits on 17 acres, offering ample space and privacy. A separate 5,500-square-foot guest house provides comfortable accommodations for visitors.
Philanthropy
The Breakthrough Prizes, the largest ever in the world of science, were initiated in 2012 by Yuri and Julia Milner. They commend works of immense importance in Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences, and Mathematics by awarding each laureate $3 million. The purpose of this program is to appreciate scientists, motivate a new breed of researchers, and promote the spirit of research.
In addition, Milner founded the Breakthrough Initiatives, a complex program focused on space exploration and searching for life beyond planet. The program is comprised of the following:
- Breakthrough Listen: The most extensive scientific project oriented toward the search for any traces of extraterrestrial civilizations. It surveys the 1,000,000 nearest stars, the entire galactic plane, and 100 nearest galaxies at a wide range of radio and optical bands.
- Breakthrough Starshot: A research and engineering initiative focuses on developing a prototype mega-constellation of light sails to be launched beyond the solar system towards Alpha Centauri, which is located 4.37 light-years from Earth.
A global competition to design a digital message representing Earth and humanity, which could potentially be sent to extraterrestrial civilizations.
In 2022, Milner and his wife Julia committed $100 million to “Tech for Refugees,” a philanthropic project in collaboration with Airbnb, Flexport, and Spotify. This project utilizes technology in every possible way to assist and support displaced individuals all over the globe, beginning with those escaping the conflict in Ukraine.
Personal Life
Yuri Milner is married to Julia Bochkova, a former fashion model in russia and now a contemporary artist. She expresses her creativity through various mediums, including photography and installations. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions internationally. They were married in 2004 and have three daughters.
Milner became an Israeli citizen in 1999 and brought his family to the country in 2005. He has shown that he is free from the control of both the Russian government and corporate spheres, having vocally opposed Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine in 2022. He is no longer a citizen of the country he so vocally defends. In 2022, he officially disclosed his renunciation of Russian citizenship.