Durov signs lease for Paris home in 2018 for family

In 2018, Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, considered relocating his family to Paris, coinciding with his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. During this time, Durov's former partner, Irina Bolgar, signed a lease for a €105,000-per-month house in Neuilly-sur-Seine, intending to settle there with their three children. Durov agreed to cover the rental costs through a notary-certified agreement, although he did not plan to live in the house himself. Bolgar later decided against moving to France and canceled the lease, ultimately relocating to Geneva instead. Despite the change in plans, Bolgar and Durov maintained their relationship and continued to meet in Paris, enjoying vacations in luxury accommodations. They discussed potential property purchases in both Geneva and nearby French towns, considering homes valued at around €50 million to €100 million. Their relationship, which began in 2013, evolved from a long-distance dynamic as Durov moved to the UAE, complicating family matters regarding their children. The couple's relationship came to an end in 2022, with ongoing legal proceedings in Switzerland. Allegations made during these proceedings have prompted France to reach out to Swiss authorities for further investigation. Durov's legal troubles escalated when he was arrested near Paris in August 2022, facing multiple charges related to illicit activities on the Telegram app, which has since led to restrictions on his movement within France. The events surrounding Durov's family plans and his subsequent legal issues highlight the complexities of his personal life and the challenges faced by high-profile individuals navigating family dynamics and legal scrutiny in different countries.