# Pavel Durov credits success to 20 years of abstinence

2026-08-10T22:03:48+00:00 | Technology | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov posted on X in 2025 that his success and health stem from over two decades of avoiding alcohol, tobacco, coffee, pills, illegal drugs, farm meat, and social media. The Russian-born founder also performs 300 push-ups and squats daily, goes to the gym five to six times a week, and alternates between ice baths and saunas, the Times of India reports. Durov’s diet is limited to seafood and wild-caught fish, eaten once or twice a day within a six-hour window, with periodic multi-day water fasts. The 40-year-old entrepreneur, who built Telegram as a privacy-focused platform, currently resides in Dubai after French authorities eased travel restrictions following his arrest in August 2024 over moderation issues.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/quote-of-the-day-by-pavel-durov-my-success-and-health-come-from-20-years-of-abstaining-from-alcohol-tobacco-coffee-pills-and-illegal-drugs/articleshow/133132818.cms>

Tags: abstinence, founder, lifestyle, Pavel Durov, privacy, Telegram
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