Yuri Milner

Born into a Jewish family {{Cite magazine |last=Wolff |first=Michael |date=21 October 2011 |title=How Russian Tycoon Yuri Milner Bought His Way Into Silicon Valley |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/mf-milner/}}{{cite web|last=Mousumi Saha Kumar|title=Self-Made Billionaire Investor Yuri Milner Sets $3 Million Prize for Physics|url=http://www.successstories.co.in/self-made-billionaire-investor-yuri-milner-sets-3-million-prize-for-physics/|access-date=13 October 2013|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206113159/http://www.successstories.co.in/self-made-billionaire-investor-yuri-milner-sets-3-million-prize-for-physics/|url-status=live}} on 11 November 1961, in Moscow,{{Cite web|url=http://www.yurimilner.com/|title=Yuri Milner {{!}} Technology Investor & Science Philanthropist|website=www.yurimilner.com|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722093359/http://www.yurimilner.com/|url-status=live}} Yuri Milner was the second child of Soviet intellectuals.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0328/billionaires-11-profile-yuri-milner-billionaire-friended-web.html |title=The Billionaire Who Friended the Web |magazine=Forbes |date=28 March 2011 |access-date=18 August 2011 |first=Parmy |last=Olson |archive-date=22 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222184120/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0328/billionaires-11-profile-yuri-milner-billionaire-friended-web.html |url-status=live }} His father, Bentsion Zakharovitch Milner, was Chief Deputy Director at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and was active in management and organization.{{cite web |url=http://www.guu.ru/info.php?id=1978 |title=Официальный сайт Государственного Университета Управления |publisher=Guu.ru |access-date=18 August 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928081958/http://www.guu.ru/info.php?id=1978 }} Betty Iosifovna Milner, Yuri's mother, worked at Moscow's state-run virological laboratory for disease control. His older sister, eight years his senior, is an architect. In 1985, he graduated from the Faculty of Physics of Lomonosov University. He then worked at the Lebedev Physical Institute in the field of theoretical physics under the supervision of future Nobel laureate Vitaly Ginzburg.

Milner became an Israeli citizen in 1999. In 2005, he moved to Israel with his family. They relocated to California in 2014. Milner has stated he has not been to Russia since the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. In August 2022, he renounced his Russian citizenship, reportedly in response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Falconer |first=Rebecca |date=10 Oct 2022 |title=Billionaire investor Yuri Milner renounces Russian citizenship |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/10/11/billionaire-yuri-milner-renounces-russian-citizenship |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403022453/https://www.axios.com/2022/10/11/billionaire-yuri-milner-renounces-russian-citizenship |url-status=live }}

Milner studied theoretical physics at Moscow State University, graduating in 1985. He went on to work at Lebedev Physical Institute, one of the institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences. As a doctoral candidate in particle physics, Milner befriended Soviet nuclear physicist and human rights activist Andrei Sakharov. Sakharov's forward-thinking co-founder would later influence Milner's venture investment strategy.{{cite news |last=Olson |first=Parmy |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2011/03/10/yuri-milner-billionaire-facebook-day-in-the-life/ |title=A Day in the Life of Yuri Milner, Web Billionaire s |publisher=Blogs.forbes.com |access-date=18 August 2011 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717033627/http://blogs.forbes.com/parmyolson/2011/03/10/yuri-milner-billionaire-facebook-day-in-the-life/ |url-status=live }}

In 1990, Milner became the first non-émigré from the Soviet Union to travel to the United States to receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.{{cite news |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/movers_and_shakers/article6391401.ece |location=London |work=The Times |first=Mike |last=Harvey |title=Big shot Yuri Milner makes logical expansion of his network |date=30 May 2009 |access-date=30 January 2011 |archive-date=9 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809040159/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/movers_and_shakers/article6391401.ece |url-status=dead }} The press quoted him as saying that he made this decision after "being disappointed in myself as a physicist."{{Cite news|last=Dutta|first=Devangshu|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/newsmaker-yuri-milner-115072301441_1.html|title=Newsmaker: Yuri Milner|date=23 July 2015|work=Business Standard India|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021111852/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/newsmaker-yuri-milner-115072301441_1.html|url-status=live}} Milner was a commencement speaker for the Wharton Business School's 2017 class.{{Cite news|url=https://graduation.wharton.upenn.edu/graduation-speakers/wharton-graduation-2017-speakers-announced/|title=Wharton Graduation 2017 Speakers Announced|last=Martech|date=7 February 2017|website=Graduation Ceremonies|language=en-US|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=15 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415050727/https://graduation.wharton.upenn.edu/graduation-speakers/wharton-graduation-2017-speakers-announced/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlwMm5XehPg|title=Looking Beyond the Horizon: Yuri Milner's Wharton School Graduation Keynote Address|date=16 May 2017|website=YouTube|access-date=20 February 2020}} During his commencement speech at the Wharton School, Yuri Milner mentioned that he did not complete his MBA at Wharton. He humorously recounted asking the dean if they were aware of his incomplete academic record when inviting him to speak, to which the dean affirmed and still extended the invitation. In September 2020, the non-profit foundation operated by Milner and his wife, Julia, established the Friends of Israel MBA Fellowship at the Wharton School. The $10 million fellowship supports more than 60 Israeli students at Wharton over 10 years.{{Cite web|date=15 September 2020|title=$10 Million Gift from Foundation Established by Yuri and Julia Milner Creates Full-Tuition MBA Fellowship for Israeli Wharton Students|url=https://news.wharton.upenn.edu/press-releases/2020/09/10-million-gift-from-foundation-established-by-yuri-and-julia-milner-creates-full-tuition-mba-fellowship-for-israeli-wharton-students/|access-date=8 January 2021|website=Wharton Newsroom|language=en-US|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214064020/https://news.wharton.upenn.edu/press-releases/2020/09/10-million-gift-from-foundation-established-by-yuri-and-julia-milner-creates-full-tuition-mba-fellowship-for-israeli-wharton-students/|url-status=live}}

File:Yuri Milner 2.jpg

Milner started his business career selling gray market DOS computers in the Soviet Union, which displeased his father. When the USSR collapsed, he stopped selling computers in order to enroll at the Wharton School to earn an MBA.{{cite magazine |last=Wolff |first=Michael |date=21 October 2011 |title=How Russian Tycoon Yuri Milner Bought His Way into Silicon Valley |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/mf_milner/all/1 |magazine=Wired |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206113035/https://www.wired.com/2011/10/mf_milner/all/1 |url-status=live }}

After graduating, Milner spent the first half of the 1990s at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., as a Russian banking specialist focused on the development of private sector banking. He has described his time at the World Bank as his "lost years", due to the privatization of government holdings during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin. In the spring of 1995, Milner was appointed CEO of Alliance-Menatep, a stock brokerage company belonging to then oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

In December 1996, Milner worked as vice president and Head of Investment Management of Menatep Bank. In February 1997 Milner was appointed the deputy chairperson and the head of the investment division of Menatep Bank but left this position in early 1998.{{Cite web|url=https://moneymakerfactory.ru/spravochnik/yuriy-milner-istoriya-biznesa/|title=Юрий Мильнер: история бизнеса старейшего венчурного интернет – инвестора|website=Фабрика манимейкеров|language=ru|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220155810/https://moneymakerfactory.ru/spravochnik/yuriy-milner-istoriya-biznesa/|url-status=live}} At the time, the market makers described him as "a well-known professional, who will bring the bank valuable experience in international financial institutions and transactions in the Russian investment market".{{Cite web|url=https://lenta.ru/lib/14190841/|title=Мильнер, Юрий|website=lenta.ru|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211051125/https://lenta.ru/lib/14190841/|url-status=live}}

In 1999, after reading a review by Morgan Stanley analyst Mary Meeker on the prospects for online businesses, Milner decided to create an Internet company. He sought funding from his friend from Menatep days Gregory Finger, who at the time led the Russian branch of the US investment fund New Century Holding. The fund agreed to invest $4.5 million with the proviso that Milner and Finger each personally invest $750,000. Milner, Finger, and NCH created a new company, NetBridge.{{cite web|url=https://lenta.ru/lib/14190841/#43|title=Мильнер, Юрий|website=lenta.ru|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113230/https://lenta.ru/lib/14190841/#43|url-status=live}} In 2000, Milner became the president of Netbridge Services Ltd. (netBridge) – the company that was, "created as an Internet incubator and investment fund". Netbridge succeeded in transferring a variety of U.S.-pioneered Internet business models to Russia, creating companies including the portal List.ru, online auction site Molotok.ru (based on eBay), free web-hosting Boom.ru (based on GeoCities), and online shop 24×7, using the formula of Amazon.com.

In February 2001, netBridge and Port.ru (which owned Mail.ru) announced a merger. Milner became CEO of the new company named Mail.Ru (though the legal name Port.ru was also retained).

In 2005, NCH shifted its focus from Russian Internet projects and Milner founded the investment fund Digital Sky Technologies (DST), becoming its chairperson in 2006. A meeting through mutual friends resulted in Alisher Usmanov becoming a shareholder of Digital Sky Technologies (DST) in 2008. On 16 September 2010, Digital Sky Technologies (DST) changed its name to "Mail.ru Group".{{Cite news|title=Digital Sky Technologies ("DST") Changes Name to Mail.ru Group|url=https://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/b476505/digital-sky-technologies-%E2%80%9Cdst%E2%80%9D-changes-name-to-mail-ru-group|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=8 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108104633/http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/b476505/digital-sky-technologies-%E2%80%9Cdst%E2%80%9D-changes-name-to-mail-ru-group|url-status=live}}

In 2010, Mail.ru Group completed successful initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange with market valuation of $5.6 billion.{{Cite web|date=9 September 2012|title=Mail.ru prices IPO at US$27.70 per GDR - London Stock Exchange|url=http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=10706676|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909020240/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=10706676|archive-date=9 September 2012|access-date=1 March 2022|website=archive.ph}}

In March 2012, Milner stepped down from the role of chairperson of Mail.ru and from the board of directors.{{Cite web|url=http://corp.mail.ru/en/press/news/1339|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316232042/http://corp.mail.ru/en/press/news/1339|archive-date=16 March 2012|title=Mail.Ru Group: News|date=16 March 2012|access-date=20 February 2020}} Dmitry Grishin was elected to the board and appointed as chairperson while retaining his CEO position. There were no other changes to management or to the board.

Post Mail.ru Group's IPO, DST is the sole vehicle for further international investments. The company is now fully independent of Mail.ru Group.Mail.ru Group prospectus {{cite web|url=http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7389V_-2010-11-5.pdf |title=Offering of 32,925,783 Ordinary Shares in the form of Global Depositary Receipts |access-date=10 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317075041/http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7389V_-2010-11-5.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2012}}

From May 2009 to January 2012, Milner was a member of the Commission on Modernization established by Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian President from 2008 to 2012.{{cite web|url=http://premier.gov.ru/en/|title=Dmitry Medvedev - The Russian Government|work=premier.gov.ru|access-date=8 May 2014|archive-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512035709/http://premier.gov.ru/en/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|DST Global}}

In January 2009, while in Palo Alto, Milner became acquainted with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The meeting led to an agreement on 26 May 2009 under which DST bought a 1.96% stake in Facebook for $200 million.{{cite magazine|last=Gustin|first=Sam|title=Time Tech 40: The Most Influential Minds in Tech|url=https://business.time.com/2013/05/01/time-tech-40-the-ten-most-influential-tech-ceos/slide/yuri-milner-dst/|magazine=Time|access-date=12 February 2014|date=1 May 2013|archive-date=24 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224004004/http://business.time.com/2013/05/01/time-tech-40-the-ten-most-influential-tech-ceos/slide/yuri-milner-dst/|url-status=live}}

On 16 September 2010, Digital Sky Technologies (DST) changed its name to "Mail.ru Group". The group's portfolio included Mail.ru, Odnoklassniki.ru, ICQ, a minority stake in the social network VKontakte (Russian Facebook equivalent), online payments service OSMP.ru, e‑Port, as well as some other Russian assets. Milner's commercial interests in Facebook, Zynga, and Groupon were transferred to DST Global. Milner became the CEO of DST Global and the chairperson of the board of directors of Mail.ru Group. In November 2010, Mail.ru Group held its offering on the London Stock Exchange.{{cite press release|title=Mail.ru Group Limited Announces Intention to Conduct an Initial Public Offering and Listing on the London Stock Exchange|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101010005091/en/Mail.ru-Group-Limited-Announces-Intention-Conduct-Initial|publisher=BusinessWire|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225042554/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101010005091/en/Mail.ru-Group-Limited-Announces-Intention-Conduct-Initial#.UvvtQUJdXso|url-status=live}} In March 2012, Milner stepped down from the role of chairperson of Mail.ru and from the board of directors.

DST Global became one of the world's leading technology investors and its portfolio has included some of the world's most prominent Internet companies, such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Airbnb, Spotify, Alibaba, and others.{{cite web |url=https://bloombergtechconference2016.sched.com/speaker/yuri_milner.1v7d8ns5 |title=Yuri Milner's schedule for Bloomberg Tech Conference 2016 |website=Bloomberg Tech Conference 2016 |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-date=4 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104153046/https://bloombergtechconference2016.sched.com/speaker/yuri_milner.1v7d8ns5 |url-status=live }}

On 5 November 2017, The New York Times reported that Milner had strong Kremlin backing for his investments in Facebook (over 8%) and Twitter (5%). His companies sold these holdings two years before that report was made public however, Milner denied any allegation he was working with Russia to turn social media against US Democracy in his open letter published in ReCode.{{cite web |url=https://www.recode.net/2017/11/5/16610242/yuri-milner-russia-twitter-facebook-paradise-papers |title=Yuri Milner says he was not working for Russia to turn social media against U.S. democracy |last=Bhuiyan |first=Johana |website=ReCode |date=5 November 2017 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109201655/https://www.recode.net/2017/11/5/16610242/yuri-milner-russia-twitter-facebook-paradise-papers |url-status=live }}

DST Global has invested over $12.5 bn in over 80 companies between 2009 and 2021. Less than 3% was raised from Russian institutions as limited partners, all prior to 2011, and was fully returned by 2014. The remaining 97% was raised over the course of the past 12 years from international institutions and private investors. DST Global has no institutional investors from Russia since 2014, has no office or investments in Russia.{{Cite news|title=DST Global letter to LP|language=en|work=Techcrunch|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4176990-DSTGloballettertoLPs|access-date=27 February 2022|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084320/https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4176990-DSTGloballettertoLPs|url-status=live}}

Among a small group of invited technology entrepreneurs and CEOs including Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Eric Schmidt (Google), and Hiroshi Mikitani (Rakuten), Yuri Milner participated in the G8 Summit in Deauville, France in May 2011, where they discussed the internet and the world economy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/05/26/G8-leaders-discuss-Internet-world-economy/95651306412734/?st_rec=10041306502699&u3L=1|title=G8 leaders discuss Internet, world economy|website=UPP|access-date=30 March 2022}}

In September 2021, an investment vehicle held for the benefit of the Breakthrough Foundation, founded by Milner, which supports existing and future philanthropic projects in fundamental sciences invested in Altos Labs together with Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos.{{cite news |last1=Regalado |first1=Antonio |title=Meet Altos Labs, Silicon Valley's latest wild bet on living forever Funders of a deep-pocketed new "rejuvenation" startup are said to include Jeff Bezos and Yuri Milner |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/04/1034364/altos-labs-silicon-valleys-jeff-bezos-milner-bet-living-forever/ |access-date=5 September 2021 |work=MIT Technology Review |date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210905014902/https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/04/1034364/altos-labs-silicon-valleys-jeff-bezos-milner-bet-living-forever/ |url-status=live }} Altos Labs is a funded biotechnology company dedicated to harnessing cellular reprogramming to develop longevity therapeutics. The company has recruited prominent scientists such as Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte (known for work on rejuvenation through reprogramming), Steve Horvath (known for work in epigenetic aging clocks), and Shinya Yamanaka (the Nobel Prize-winning inventor of cellular reprogramming in mammalian cells). Milner reportedly originally considered pursuing reprogramming philanthropically, having already awarded three-year grants of $1 million a year to several geroscience researchers, but was convinced by former National Cancer Institute head Richard Klausner that a well-funded biotech company would lead to faster progress.

• On 29 January 2011, Milner announced that he would invest $150,000 into each of the start‑up program participants selected by the incubator Y Combinator.{{cite news |last=Arrington |first=Michael |date=29 January 2011 |title=Start Fund: Yuri Milner, SV Angel Offer Every New Y Combinator Startup $150k |work=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/28/yuri-milner-sv-angel-offer-every-new-y-combinator-startup-150k/ |access-date=12 February 2014 |archive-date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211070306/http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/28/yuri-milner-sv-angel-offer-every-new-y-combinator-startup-150k/ |url-status=live }}
• In February 2014, it was announced that Milner had led a round of funding for cloud-graphics company, Otoy.{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Russia's premiere tech investor Yuri Milner invests in cloud graphics company Otoy|date=12 February 2014|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/02/11/russias-premiere-tech-investor-yuri-milner-invests-in-cloud-graphics-company-otoy/|publisher=Venture Beat|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214230441/http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/11/russias-premiere-tech-investor-yuri-milner-invests-in-cloud-graphics-company-otoy/|url-status=live}}
• In April 2016, online mortgage broker platform Habito launched with backing from Milner, amongst other fintech investors.{{Cite web|title=Habito is another London startup aiming for a slice of U.K.'s lucrative mortgage market|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/12/habito/|access-date=1 March 2022|website=TechCrunch|date=12 April 2016 |language=en-US}}

On 29 January 2018, Milner's name was included in the United States Treasury Department's "Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 241 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 Regarding Senior Foreign Political Figures and Oligarchs in the Russian Federation and Russian Parastatal Entities" (CAATSA),{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/370313106/2018-01-29-Treasury-Caatsa-241-Final|title=2018-01-29 Treasury Caatsa 241 Final|website=Scribd|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924034618/https://www.scribd.com/document/370313106/2018-01-29-Treasury-Caatsa-241-Final|url-status=live}} a list of 96 individuals of Russian heritage who "have an estimated net worth of $1 billion or more".

Although it was widely reported in the media that those on the list "may be subject to sanctions",{{Cite web |author=Borak |first=Donna |date=30 January 2018 |title=US lists Russian oligarchs but imposes no sanctions |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/29/politics/trump-russia-sanctions/index.html |access-date=4 August 2020 |website=CNN |archive-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423102819/https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/29/politics/trump-russia-sanctions/index.html |url-status=live }} the CAATSA Report itself made clear that it "in no way should be interpreted to impose sanctions on those individuals or entities". It also specified that inclusion in the report "does not constitute the determination by any agency that any of those individuals or entities meet the criteria for designation under any sanctions program", and in no way indicates that "the U.S. Government has information about the individual's involvement in malign activities".{{Cite web|url=https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Sanctions/Pages/faq_other.aspx#552|title=OFAC FAQs: Other Sanctions Programs|website=www.treasury.gov|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930175751/https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Sanctions/Pages/faq_other.aspx#552|url-status=live}} Shortly after the list was released, it was reported that the Treasury Department had simply copied it from the Forbes' 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2017/03/20/forbes-2017-billionaires-list-meet-the-richest-people-on-the-planet/|title=Forbes 2017 Billionaires List: Meet The Richest People On The Planet|first=Kerry A.|last=Dolan|website=Forbes|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313094520/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2017/03/20/forbes-2017-billionaires-list-meet-the-richest-people-on-the-planet/|url-status=live}} The World's Billionaires list: people on the Forbes list who had Russian heritage and a net worth of $1 billion or more had been indiscriminately included in the CAATSA Report.

In its response to a lawsuit asserting that the compilation of the list was "arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law",{{Cite web|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.202127/gov.uscourts.dcd.202127.1.0.pdf|title=See Complaint, Gapontsev v. U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, No. 1:18-cv-02826, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702154556/https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.202127/gov.uscourts.dcd.202127.1.0.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal |url=https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2019/04/23/doj-doesnt-deny-treasurys-russian-oligarch-list-was-copied-from-forbes/ |url-access=subscription |title=DOJ Doesn't Deny Treasury's Russian 'Oligarch' List Was Copied From Forbes |author=C. Ryan Barber |journal=National Law Journal |access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424165627/https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2019/04/23/doj-doesnt-deny-treasurys-russian-oligarch-list-was-copied-from-forbes/|url-status=live}} the Treasury Department has confirmed that it is "not challenging" the allegation that it had "simply republished" the Forbes billionaires list. In April 2020, in its annual Billionaire List Forbes magazine re-classified Yuri Milner from the Russian list to the Israeli list of billionaires, confirming his Israeli citizenship and close ties to the country.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/info/8184363|title=Россияне в списке миллиардеров Forbes|website=tass.ru|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424055944/https://tass.ru/info/8184363|url-status=live}}

{{main|Breakthrough Prize}}

In July 2012, Yuri and Julia Milner established the Breakthrough Prize, joined the following year by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan, Anne Wojcicki, and Mark Zuckerberg. The Prize is a set of international awards recognizing three fields of endeavor: Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, and Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. Laureates receive $3 million each in prize money, making the Breakthrough Prize the largest scientific award in the world.{{Cite news|date=20 February 2013|title=Take that, Alfred|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/babbage/2013/02/20/take-that-alfred|access-date=1 March 2022|issn=0013-0613|archive-date=1 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301184805/https://www.economist.com/babbage/2013/02/20/take-that-alfred|url-status=live}} There are also New Horizons awards in Physics and Mathematics for younger researchers who have already produced significant works, as well as Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prizes for women mathematicians who completed their PhD in the recent past.

Committees of previous laureates choose the winners from candidates nominated in a process that is online and open to the public.{{cite web | url=https://breakthroughprize.org/News/77 | title=Breakthrough Prize – Breakthrough Prize Opens Public Nominations for 2024 Prizes in Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences & Mathematics }} {{As of|2023|September}}, $308 million in prize-money has been awarded to 271 individual scientists and four large research teams.{{cite web | url=https://breakthroughprize.org/News/83 | title=Breakthrough Prize – Breakthrough Prize Announces 2024 Laureates in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics }}

The Prizes are presented annually at a gala ceremony featuring celebrity presentations, films, comedy, and live music. The last ceremony took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, with the previous seven held at Hangar One (Mountain View, California). The annual celebrations also include symposiums in the three recognized fields. The program is broadcast on the web, most recently on YouTube.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ibx54G1nWo | title=2023 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | website=YouTube | date=23 April 2023 }}

{{main|Breakthrough Initiatives}}

In July 2015, Milner launched Breakthrough Initiatives, a scientific program to investigate the question of life in the Universe.{{Cite web |title=Juri Milner: Ein russischer Milliardär greift nach den Sternen |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/2000019519752/juri-milner-ein-russischer-milliardaer-greift-nach-den-sternen |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}} He announced the initiatives at the Royal Society in London, alongside Stephen Hawking, Martin Rees, Frank Drake, Geoff Marcy and Ann Druyan.{{cite news | url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/search-for-extraterrestrial-intelligence-nets-historic-cash-infusion/ | work=Scientific American | title=Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Nets Historic Cash Infusion. | date=20 July 2015 | access-date=19 August 2015 | archive-date=22 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822081442/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/search-for-extraterrestrial-intelligence-nets-historic-cash-infusion/ | url-status=live }}

Three initiatives have been announced so far:

File:Green Bank Telescope NRAO.jpg is one of the radio telescopes used by the Breakthrough Listen project to search for alien communications.]]

• Breakthrough Listen
• Breakthrough Message
• Breakthrough Starshot

The first, Breakthrough Listen, will invest $100 million over 10 years in a search for evidence of civilizations beyond Earth.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33596271 | work=BBC | title=Prof Stephen Hawking backs venture to listen for aliens | date=20 July 2015 | access-date=21 June 2018 | archive-date=8 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508032838/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33596271 | url-status=live }} Utilizing the Green Bank, Parkes, Lick,{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/21/science/yuri-milner-russian-entrepreneur-promises-100-million-for-alien-search.html | work=The New York Times | title=Stephen Hawking Joins Russian Entrepreneur's Search for Alien Life | date=20 July 2015 | access-date=14 July 2017 | archive-date=27 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827230300/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/21/science/yuri-milner-russian-entrepreneur-promises-100-million-for-alien-search.html | url-status=live }} and FAST observatories and the SKA's MeerKAT Array,{{cite web | url=https://breakthroughinitiatives.org/news/38 | title=Breakthrough Initiatives }} Listen is searching for radio and laser signals from the nearest million stars, the nearest 100 galaxies, and the plane and center of the Milky Way.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/breakthrough-listen-massive-radio-wave-project-scan-far-regions-for-alien-life | work=Guardian | title=Stephen Hawking launches $100m search for alien life beyond solar system | date=21 July 2015 | access-date=18 December 2016 | archive-date=20 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720155541/http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/breakthrough-listen-massive-radio-wave-project-scan-far-regions-for-alien-life | url-status=live }}

The second initiative, Breakthrough Message, will be a $1 million annual prize for digital messages representing Earth and humanity, that could be decoded by another civilization. The messages will not be sent into space until a global discussion on the ethics of such a move has taken place.

The third project, Breakthrough Starshot, was announced 12 April 2016.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/stephen-hawking-interstellar-travel-starmus-speech|title=Stephen Hawking warns that if we don't leave this planet soon, we will be annihilated|first=James|last=Temperton|magazine=Wired UK|date=20 June 2017|access-date=4 August 2020|via=www.wired.co.uk|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807153331/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/stephen-hawking-interstellar-travel-starmus-speech|url-status=live}} Starshot is a US$100 million program to develop a proof-of-concept light sail spacecraft fleet able to make the journey to Alpha Centauri at 20% the speed of light (60 million m/s or 215 million km/h) taking about 20 years to get there, and 4.4 years to notify Earth of a successful arrival.{{cite news |last=Overbye |first=Dennis |author-link=Dennis Overbye |title=A Visionary Project Aims for Alpha Centauri, a Star 4.37 Light-Years Away |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/science/alpha-centauri-breakthrough-starshot-yuri-milner-stephen-hawking.html |date=12 April 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415173308/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/science/alpha-centauri-breakthrough-starshot-yuri-milner-stephen-hawking.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Maddie |url=https://gizmodo.com/a-russian-billionaire-and-stephen-hawking-want-to-build-1770467186 |title=Stephen Hawking and a Russian Billionaire Want to Build an Interstellar Starship |work=Gizmodo |date=12 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=13 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413185106/http://gizmodo.com/a-russian-billionaire-and-stephen-hawking-want-to-build-1770467186 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://breakthroughinitiatives.org/Initiative/3 |title=Breakthrough Starshot |work=Breakthrough Initiatives |date=12 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412180305/http://www.breakthroughinitiatives.org/Initiative/3 |url-status=live }}

On 20 April 2017, the Breakthrough Discuss conference was held, during which the results of a year worth of data analysis was discussed. According to the researchers, 692 stars were analyzed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/breakthrough-listen-first-detection-results-2017-4?r=US&IR=T|title=A Russian tycoon's $100 million effort to listen for aliens has published its first results|work=Business Insider|access-date=17 May 2017|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107111901/http://uk.businessinsider.com/breakthrough-listen-first-detection-results-2017-4?r=US&IR=T|url-status=live}}

In September 2015, the Breakthrough Prize launched the Breakthrough Junior Challenge,{{Cite web|url=https://breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org/about|title=Breakthrough Junior Challenge|website=breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919182033/https://breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org/about|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.siliconbeat.com/2015/09/14/whiz-kids-wanted-for-breakthrough-junior-challenge-with-250000-prize/|title=Whiz kids wanted for Breakthrough Junior Challenge with $250,000 prize|date=14 September 2015|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=4 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104194312/http://www.siliconbeat.com/2015/09/14/whiz-kids-wanted-for-breakthrough-junior-challenge-with-250000-prize/|url-status=live}} a science competition for people between thirteen and eighteen years of age, in collaboration with Khan Academy.

On 25 March 2020, the Milner Foundation, a non-profit foundation founded by Yuri and Julia Milner, announced $3 million donation to three Israeli institutions: Magen David Adom, the national emergency medical response organization, which is operating an innovative project to reduce the number of people coming to clinics; Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, where it will support research efforts aiming to develop treatments for the virus; and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Ichilov Hospital, where it will directly fund the intensive care department that is caring for COVID-19 patients.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/after-coronavirus-scientists-and-doctors-will-be-our-new-heroes-622145|title=After coronavirus, scientists and doctors will be our new heroes|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com|date=24 March 2020 |access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625143545/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/after-coronavirus-scientists-and-doctors-will-be-our-new-heroes-622145|url-status=live}}

A few weeks later, Milner Foundation announced a donation of 3 million face masks for the people of Israel.{{Cite news|url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-milner-remote-will-be-the-new-normal-1001323223|title=Yuri Milner: Remote will be the new normal|date=25 March 2020|newspaper=Globes|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518130214/https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-milner-remote-will-be-the-new-normal-1001323223|url-status=live}} Yuri Milner in his open letter published by Calcalist wrote that "a significant fraction of these masks will go to organizations providing essential services, whose frontline workers are still required to do their jobs during the lockdown".{{Cite web|url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3805618,00.html|title=Let's Mask, and Unmask the Power of Science|first=Yuri|last=Milner|date=2 April 2020|website=CTECH|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815113035/https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3805618,00.html|url-status=live}} The masks arrived to Ben Gurion Airport on 16 April 2020, on board of dedicated charted El Al "Jerusalem of Gold" Dreamliner plane and were distributed by Magen David Adom to its emergency services staff, as well as to a range of hospitals, government offices, and national institutions providing essential services to the public.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdais.org/en/news/170420|title=Three Million Surgical Masks Land in Israel|website=mdais.org|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=27 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127102051/https://www.mdais.org/en/news/170420|url-status=live}}

Milner's companies have denounced the invasion on multiple occasions,{{Cite news |last=McBride |first=Sarah |date=20 March 2022 |title=Silicon Valley's Wealthiest Russian Is Carefully—Very Carefully—Distancing Himself From Putin |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-03-21/yuri-milner-quits-vladimir-putin-after-ukraine-invasion |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418074758/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-03-21/yuri-milner-quits-vladimir-putin-after-ukraine-invasion |url-status=live }} and Milner has personally condemned Russia's war against Ukraine on his Twitter account.{{Cite tweet |author=Yuri Milner |user=YuriMilner |number=1576969066623164416 |title=Russia's attack on Ukraine is also an assault on reason...}}{{Cite tweet |author=Yuri Milner |user=YuriMilner |number=1628416411000266755 |title=The tragedy of Russia's senseless aggression on Ukraine is now a year old, and shows no sign of ending...}} Milner has not visited Russia since the 2014 Russian occupation of Crimea, and renounced his Russian citizenship in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He has also donated tens of millions of dollars on several occasions in support of Ukrainian refugees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2022/04/28/russian-born-billionaire-yuri-milner-pledges-100-million-to-help-ukrainian-refugees/|title=Russian-Born Billionaire Yuri Milner Pledges $100 Million To Help Ukrainian Refugees|date=28 April 2022|website=Forbes|access-date=28 April 2022|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428150727/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2022/04/28/russian-born-billionaire-yuri-milner-pledges-100-million-to-help-ukrainian-refugees/?sh=1422f89c4deb|url-status=live}}

Milner said, "The great irony is that we are the least Russian fund right now and have been because we made a consistent effort." He told Bloomberg News that DST hasn't taken money from Russia since a $900 million fund in 2011, and most Western banks were in business with Russia until years after he stopped.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-21 |title=Silicon Valley's Wealthiest Russian Is Carefully—Very Carefully—Distancing Himself From Putin |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-03-21/yuri-milner-quits-vladimir-putin-after-ukraine-invasion |access-date=2022-08-21 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428122652/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-03-21/yuri-milner-quits-vladimir-putin-after-ukraine-invasion |url-status=live }}

In April 2022, the foundation established by Yuri and Julia Milner pledged $100 million to Tech for Refugees, a philanthropic initiative launched with Airbnb.org, Flexport.org, and Spotify. The initiative is focused on using technology to help refugees from Ukraine to find provisions, shelter, and comfort, and it plans to expand the program to address other refugee crises around the world.

In March 2022, Yuri and Julia Milner's non-profit foundation, DST Global, and the Breakthrough Prize Foundation all donated funds to support humanitarian relief for refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Breakthrough Prize Foundation donated $3 million to international relief organizations to help the victims of the conflict, and pledged a further $3 million to support scientists forced to flee from Ukraine.{{Cite web|url=https://breakthroughprize.org/News/70|title=BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $3M DONATION IN SUPPORT OF SCIENTISTS FORCED TO FLEE UKRAINE|date=15 March 2022|website=breakthroughprize.org|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314220318/https://breakthroughprize.org/News/70|url-status=live}} Pledged $3 million were distributed to:

• $1 million to the National Academy of Sciences's initiative to help scientists maintain their livelihoods and dignity after fleeing Ukraine, remaining employed and connected to the global scientific community.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/03/breakthrough-prize-foundation-partners-with-u-s-national-academy-of-sciences-to-support-scientists-forced-to-flee-ukraine|title=Breakthrough Prize Foundation Partners with U.S. National Academy of Sciences to Support Scientists Forced to Flee Ukraine|date=29 March 2022|website=NAS|access-date=4 April 2022|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403224013/https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/03/breakthrough-prize-foundation-partners-with-u-s-national-academy-of-sciences-to-support-scientists-forced-to-flee-ukraine|url-status=live}}
• $1.5 Million to ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, for Distribution Via European Academic Institutions.{{Cite web|url=https://allea.org/breakthrough-prize-foundation-partners-with-allea-to-support-scientists-forced-to-leave-ukraine/|title=Breakthrough Prize Foundation Partners with ALLEA To Support Scientists Forced to Leave Ukraine|date=31 March 2022|website=ALLEA|access-date=4 April 2022|archive-date=26 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195023/https://allea.org/breakthrough-prize-foundation-partners-with-allea-to-support-scientists-forced-to-leave-ukraine/|url-status=live}}
• $500,000 to consortium of leading Israeli universities led by Tel Aviv University.
• A $2.1 million challenge grant to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences to fund scientific research led by Ukrainian scientists. {{cite web |url=https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2023/08/national-academy-of-sciences-receives-2-1-million-from-breakthrough-prize-foundation-for-ongoing-support-of-ukrainian-led-scientific-research-projects |title=National Academy of Sciences Receives $2.1 Million from Breakthrough Prize Foundation for Ongoing Support of Ukrainian-Led Scientific Research Projects |date=10 August 2023 |website=nationalacademies.org}}
• A $800,000 to the Australian Academy of Science to support research collaborations and access to Australian infrastructure and facilities for researchers forced to leave Ukraine.{{cite web | url=https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/academy-launches-ukraine-australia-research-fund | title=Academy launches Ukraine-Australia research fund | Australian Academy of Science |date=8 May 2023}}

DST Global committed $3.5 million {{Cite web|url=https://dst-global.com/|title=DST GLOBAL DONATES $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE LAUNCHED BY MILA KUNIS AND ASHTON KUTCHER|date=15 March 2020|website=dst-global.com|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317233930/https://dst-global.com/|url-status=live}} to Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher's Stand With Ukraine initiative to help the refugee relief efforts.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/mila-kunis-ukraine-fundraiser-halfway-flexport-airbnb-ashton-kutcher| magazine=Vanity Fair| first=Emily| last=Kirkpatrick| title=Mila Kunis Says Her Ukraine Fundraiser Has Already Reached Over Half of Its $30 Million Goal| date=8 March 2022| access-date=16 March 2022| archive-date=9 March 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309081027/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/mila-kunis-ukraine-fundraiser-halfway-flexport-airbnb-ashton-kutcher| url-status=live}} The foundation established by Yuri and Julia Milner gave a further $2 million to Stand With Ukraine, as well as donating $3m {{Cite web|url=https://rabbiscer.org/news/cer-statement-investor-donation-for-ukraine/|title=Renowned Israeli technology investor donates $3m to Conference of European Rabies to help Jewish refugees from Ukraine|date=8 March 2022|website=rabbiscer.org|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420151121/https://rabbiscer.org/news/cer-statement-investor-donation-for-ukraine/|url-status=live}} to the Conference of European Rabbis to support efforts to help Jewish refugees from Ukraine.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.jns.org/milner-foundation-donates-3-million-to-assist-jewish-refugees-from-ukraine/| magazine=Jewish News Syndicate| title=Milner Foundation donates $3 million to assist Jewish refugees from Ukraine| date=8 March 2022| access-date=13 September 2023}}

On 10 December 2013, Yuri and Julia Milner joined {{Cite web|url=https://givingpledge.org/pressrelease?date=12.10.2013|title=The Giving Pledge Welcomes Seven New Signatories|date=10 December 2013|website=givingpledge.org|access-date=25 January 2022|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125014831/https://givingpledge.org/pressrelease?date=12.10.2013|url-status=live}} the Giving Pledge, the initiative created by Warren Buffett, Melinda French Gates, and Bill Gates in which signatories pledge to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes. The Milners announced{{Cite web|url=https://givingpledge.org/pledger?pledgerId=246|title=Yuri and Julia Milner|website=givingpledge.org|access-date=25 January 2022|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126102357/https://givingpledge.org/pledger?pledgerId=246|url-status=live}} that their donations would go to predominantly scientific causes and programs, with Yuri Milner stating: "In my opinion, scientific brilliance is currently under-capitalized. If the market dictates that a top banker can earn a thousand times more than a great scientist, then this is an area where philanthropy can make a world of difference—and so make a difference to the world."

File:Yuri-n-julia-milner.jpg

In an interview with Vedomosti in 2010, Milner said:

{{Blockquote|In the past few years I simply do not have time for hobbies. I am even starting to forget what I was fond of. Such as in the past it was reading of literature not related to work.{{cite news | url=http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/articles/2010/12/28/nastupaet_era_lyudej_s_matematicheskim_skladom_uma_yurij | work=Vedomosti | first1=Anastasia | last1=Golitsyn | first2=Igor | last2=Tsukanov | title=There is coming an era for people with a mathematical state of mind | date=28 December 2010 | access-date=16 April 2016 | archive-date=27 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427093708/http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/articles/2010/12/28/nastupaet_era_lyudej_s_matematicheskim_skladom_uma_yurij | url-status=live }}}}

Milner is married to former high fashion model and contemporary artist Julia Milner (née Bochkova). She is interested in photography: during the 52nd Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art she produced a contribution entitled Click I Hope.{{cite news | url=http://www.russiandreams.info/en/photographer/milner | work=Russian Dreams Info | title=RUSSIAN DREAMS | year=2008 | access-date=21 August 2011 | archive-date=14 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814184212/http://www.russiandreams.info/en/photographer/milner | url-status=live }}

In 2011, Milner bought a $100 million home in Los Altos Hills, California.{{cite news |last=Pender |first=Kathleen |date=12 May 2011 |title=Yuri Milner buys $100 million Los Altos Hills home |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/01/BUH21INM5M.DTL |access-date=4 April 2011 |archive-date=4 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404112125/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/01/BUH21INM5M.DTL |url-status=live }} The compound spans three plots totaling seven hectares and includes a roughly {{convert|25500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} main house and a {{convert|5500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} guest house. The current tax bill is about $304,000 a year. The Wall Street Journal reported the price as $100 million, saying it was the most ever paid for a single-family home in the United States. The property is appraised by the Santa Clara County assessor at $50 million.{{cite web |last=Carey |first=Pete |date=3 July 2012 |title=Russian tycoon's Silicon Valley mansion worth half its $100 million purchase price, assessor says |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20998327/russian-mogul-yuri-milner-silicon-valley-mansion-worth-half-its-price-100-million |work=The Mercury News |access-date=7 July 2012 |archive-date=4 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704043210/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20998327/russian-mogul-yuri-milner-silicon-valley-mansion-worth-half-its-price-100-million |url-status=live }} Milner attends synagogue, but is only minimally religiously observant.

Milner believes that the Internet will eventually develop into a "global brain" – which is often described as an intelligent network of individuals and machines – functioning as a nervous system for the planet Earth.{{Cite web |last=Ossola |first=Alexandra |date=18 March 2019 |title=Yuri Milner's Most Astounding Predictions |url=https://www.popsci.com/yuri-milners-9-most-astounding-predictions/ |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513074425/https://www.popsci.com/yuri-milners-9-most-astounding-predictions/ |url-status=live }} He also envisages that the advent of the Internet of things and ever increasing use of social media will increase humans' collective intelligence.{{Cite web |date=26 September 2011 |title=Chrystia Freeland | Analysis & Opinion | Reuters.com |work=Reuters |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/chrystia-freeland/2011/09/23/the-advent-of-the-global-brain/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926195749/http://blogs.reuters.com/chrystia-freeland/2011/09/23/the-advent-of-the-global-brain/ |archive-date=26 September 2011 }}{{Cite web|last=Parr|first=Ben|date=16 November 2010|title=Could Facebook Become the Basis for Artificial Intelligence?|url=https://mashable.com/archive/could-facebook-become-the-basis-for-artificial-intelligence|access-date=1 March 2022|website=Mashable|language=en|archive-date=1 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301184805/https://mashable.com/archive/could-facebook-become-the-basis-for-artificial-intelligence|url-status=live}}

He published some of his ideas on humanity's place in the Universe in a book, Eureka Manifesto: the Mission for Our Civilization.{{Cite web|url=https://yurimilnermanifesto.org/|title=Eureka Manifesto|website=yurimilnermanifesto.org|access-date=30 August 2021|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811231341/https://yurimilnermanifesto.org/|url-status=live}}

Milner is among a list of people named in the Paradise Papers.{{cite web|last1=Waugh|first1=Rob|title=Paradise Papers: Who are the biggest names in tax haven leak?|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/06/paradise-papers-who-are-the-biggest-names-in-tax-haven-leak-7056203/|publisher=Metro|access-date=6 November 2017|date=6 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106105950/http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/06/paradise-papers-who-are-the-biggest-names-in-tax-haven-leak-7056203/|archive-date=6 November 2017}}

On 24 March 2020, Milner published a fact sheet setting out his and DST Global's relations with Russia.{{Cite tweet |user=yurimilner |number=1507121172177108995 |title=Setting the record straight - here are the facts about my connection to Russia}} It included statements that he is an Israeli citizen, has never met Vladimir Putin, made 97% of his capital outside Russia, has no assets in Russia and has not visited the country since 2014. Also, DST Global has no investments in Russia and has received no investments from a Russian institution since 2011. In addition, in 2018 the Wall Street Journal confirmed that it had incorrectly named DST Global a Russian firm and it has corrected 13 additional articles containing the same error.{{Cite news |last=WSJ |date=24 September 2018 |title=Corrections & Amplifications |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/corrections-amplifications-1537847657 |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314101903/https://www.wsj.com/articles/corrections-amplifications-1537847657 |url-status=live }}

In August 2022, Yuri Milner officially completed the process of renouncing his Russian citizenship.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-11 |title=Billionaire investor Yuri Milner relinquishes Russian citizenship |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/billionaire-investor-yuri-milner-relinquishes-russian-citizenship-2022-10-11/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011161050/https://www.reuters.com/world/billionaire-investor-yuri-milner-relinquishes-russian-citizenship-2022-10-11/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2017, Forbes included Milner to the list of 100 greatest living business minds.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Abram |date=19 September 2017 |title=100 Quotes On Business From The 100 Greatest Living Business Minds |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2017/09/19/100-quotes-on-business-from-the-100-greatest-business-minds/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |website=Forbes |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609024018/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2017/09/19/100-quotes-on-business-from-the-100-greatest-business-minds/ |url-status=live }} Milner was named one of the World's Greatest Leaders by Fortune magazine in March 2017,{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/yuri-milner-40//|title=The World's 50 Greatest Leaders|work=Fortune|access-date=23 March 2017|archive-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324174929/http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/yuri-milner-40/|url-status=live}} was listed in the "Titans" category of Time magazine's 2016 Time 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/collection/2016-time-100/|title=The 100 Most Influential People - TIME|magazine=Time|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129133525/http://time.com/collection/2016-time-100/|url-status=live}} Foreign Policy magazine included Milner on its "Power List" – an inaugural list of the 500 most powerful people on the planet in May 2013.{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/04/29/the_500_most_powerful_people_in_the_world|title=The FP Power Map|access-date=8 June 2017|work=Foreign Policy|archive-date=28 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028125745/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/04/29/the_500_most_powerful_people_in_the_world}} Milner was included in Bloomberg Markets' 2012 50 Most Influential list. In Fortune{{'}}s 2010 list of the world's fifty most prominent businessmen, Milner was ranked 46th. That same year Russian business magazine Vedomosti recognized him as "Businessman of the Year".[http://www.vedomosti.ru/persons/1162/ Yuri Milner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709184744/http://www.vedomosti.ru/persons/1162/ |date=9 July 2014 }} in the directory Vedomosti

• "The World's 50 Greatest Leaders" – Fortune, April 2018.{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/yuri-milner-40/|title=The World's 50 Greatest Leaders|work=Fortune|access-date=23 March 2017|archive-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324174929/http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/yuri-milner-40/|url-status=live}}
• "100 Greatest Living Business Minds" – Forbes, September 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/100-greatest-business-minds///|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920033435/https://www.forbes.com/100-greatest-business-minds/|archive-date=20 September 2017|title=100 Greatest Living Business Minds|work=Fortune}}
• "The World's 50 Greatest Leaders" – Fortune, March 2017.{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders//|title=The World's 50 Greatest Leaders|work=Fortune|access-date=20 July 2017|archive-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815232516/http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/}}
• "The Midas List 2017" – Forbes, April 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-milner/?list=midas|title=The Midas List|work=Forbes|access-date=20 July 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819065046/https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-milner/?list=midas|url-status=live}}
• "The Wired 100 - 2016" – Wired, August 2016.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/wired-global-100/|title=The Wired 100|magazine=Wired|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002054152/http://www.wired.co.uk/article/wired-global-100|url-status=live}}
• "The 100 Richest Tech Billionaires in the World in 2016" – Forbes, August 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevinton/2016/08/10/the-100-richest-tech-billionaires-in-the-world-in-2016/#71b85ba56b3f/|title=The 100 Richest Tech Billionaires In The World In 2016|work=Forbes|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224042502/https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevinton/2016/08/10/the-100-richest-tech-billionaires-in-the-world-in-2016/#71b85ba56b3f/|url-status=live}}
• "Time 100 Most Influential People 2016" – Time, April 2016.{{cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4300003/yuri-milner-2016-time-100/|title=The 100 Most Influential People|magazine=Time|access-date=22 April 2016|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424093150/http://time.com/4300003/yuri-milner-2016-time-100/|url-status=live}}
• "The Midas List 2016" – Forbes, April 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-milner/?list=midas/|title=The Midas List|work=Forbes|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819105939/https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-milner/?list=midas/|url-status=live}}
• "The Midas China List 2016" – Forbes, April 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/hejl45fe/yuri-milner/|title=The Midas China List|work=Forbes|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819105632/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/hejl45fe/yuri-milner/|url-status=live}}
• "New Establishment List 2015" – Vanity Fair, September 2015.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/photos/2015/09/new-establishment-list-2015|title=New Establishment Summit|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214004158/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/photos/2015/09/new-establishment-list-2015|url-status=live}}
• "Wired 100" – Wired, August 2015.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/09/features/the-2015-wired-100/viewall|title=Most influential people in European tech|magazine=Wired|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521163742/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/09/features/the-2015-wired-100/viewall|url-status=live}}
• "The Midas List 2014" – Forbes, April 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/midas/list/#tab:overall|title=The Midas List|work=Forbes|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730022042/https://www.forbes.com/midas/list/#tab:overall|url-status=live}}
• "New Establishment List 2014" – Vanity Fair, September 2014.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/10/new-establishment-2014|title=New Establishment Summit|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815114332/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/10/new-establishment-2014|url-status=live}}
• "The Midas List 2013" – Forbes, May 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/midas/#%7c|title=The Midas List|work=Forbes|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601225707/https://www.forbes.com/midas/#%7c|url-status=live}}
• "Power Map: 500 most powerful people on the planet" – Foreign Policy, May 2013.{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/29/the-fp-power-map/|title=ForeignPolicy - Power Map|work=Foreign Policy|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=9 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209104529/https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/29/the-fp-power-map/|url-status=live}}
• "Most Influential 50" – Bloomberg Markets, September 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-07/most-influential-50-people-in-global-finance-full-list-bloomberg-markets.html|title=Most Influential 50 in Global Finance List: Bloomberg Markets|date=7 September 2011|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231232637/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-07/most-influential-50-people-in-global-finance-full-list-bloomberg-markets.html|url-status=live}}
• "The Silicon Valley 100" – Business Insider, February 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-silicon-valley-100-1-100-2012-1|title=The Silicon Valley 100: 1-100|date=2 February 2012|work=Business Insider|access-date=8 February 2012|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819061134/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-silicon-valley-100-1-100-2012-1|url-status=live}}
• "Top 50 Digital Power Players" – The Hollywood Reporter, January 2012.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-reporter-digital-50-power-list-280333/group/Who%20Pays%20the%20Way Top 50 Digital Power Players] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901214602/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-reporter-digital-50-power-list-280333/group/Who%20Pays%20the%20Way |date=1 September 2015 }}, The Hollywood Reporter
• "Businessperson of the Year – Top 50" – Fortune, November 2011.{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/fortune/1111/gallery.business_person_year.fortune/index.html | work=CNN | title=2011 Businessperson of the Year | access-date=3 August 2020 | archive-date=4 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804084445/https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/fortune/1111/gallery.business_person_year.fortune/index.html | url-status=live }}
• "Man of the Year" – GQ (Russian), October 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.gq.ru/talk/moty/3722/ |title=Человек года GQ 2011: Юрий Мильнер | Человек года | Мужской журнал GQ |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206005836/http://www.gq.ru/talk/moty/3722 |archive-date=6 December 2011}}
• "Vanity Fair{{'}}s New Establishment List 2011" – Vanity Fair, September 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/business/new-establishment/2011/23-yuri-milner|title=The New Establishment 2011 - Yuri Milner|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=6 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806052938/http://www.vanityfair.com/business/new-establishment/2011/23-yuri-milner|url-status=live}}
• "Kommersant of the Year" – Kommersant, June 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1663066/print|title=Ъ-FM - "Коммерсантъ" одарил бизнесменов щедрой рукой|work=kommersant.ru|date=18 June 2011|access-date=8 February 2012|archive-date=25 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625170520/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1663066/print|url-status=live}}
• "The 100 Most Creative People" – Fast Company, May 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/most-creative-people/2011/yuri-milner-digital-sky-technologies|title=3. Yuri Milner|work=Fast Company|access-date=8 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224004100/http://www.fastcompany.com/most-creative-people/2011/yuri-milner-digital-sky-technologies|archive-date=24 February 2012}}
• "The Midas List of Tech's Top Investors" - Forbes, April 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/midas/2011/profile/yuri-milner.html|title=#25 Yuri Milner Digital Sky Technologies|work=Forbes|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819110337/https://www.forbes.com/lists/midas/2011/profile/yuri-milner.html|url-status=live}}
• "World's Billionaires" – Forbes, March 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-milner/|title=Yuri Milner|last=Prosser|first=David|work=Forbes|access-date=20 July 2017|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710080059/https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-milner/|url-status=live}}
• "Owners of Virtual Reality List" – Forbes (Russian), February 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.ru/tehno-slideshow/internet-i-telekommunikatsii/63930-hozyaeva-virtualnoi-realnosti|title=ФОТО: Хозяева виртуальной реальности - Forbes.ru|work=forbes.ru|date=28 February 2011 |access-date=8 February 2012|archive-date=23 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223082701/http://www.forbes.ru/tehno-slideshow/internet-i-telekommunikatsii/63930-hozyaeva-virtualnoi-realnosti|url-status=live}}
• "Businessman of the Year" – Vedomosti, December 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/article/252810/biznesmen_goda|title=ВЕДОМОСТИ - Бизнесмен года – Юрий Мильнер, основатель Mail.ru Group и DST Global|work=vedomosti.ru|access-date=8 February 2012|archive-date=2 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102035615/http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/article/252810/biznesmen_goda|url-status=live}}
• "The Smartest People in Tech" – Fortune, July 2010.{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/technology/1007/gallery.smartest_people_tech.fortune/40.html |work=CNN |title=The smartest people in tech |date=9 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118060750/http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/technology/1007/gallery.smartest_people_tech.fortune/40.html |archive-date=18 January 2012}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|yurimilner.com}}
• {{commons category-inline}}

{{Privatization in Russia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Milner, Yuri}}

Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century philanthropists

Category:Former Russia citizens

Category:Life extensionists

Category:Israeli billionaires

Category:Israeli businesspeople

Category:Israeli physicists

Category:Russian billionaires

Category:Russian physicists

Category:Russian venture capitalists

Category:Russian Jews

Category:Scientists from Moscow

Category:Wharton School alumni

Category:Businesspeople from Moscow

Category:Russian businesspeople in the United States

Category:Russian businesspeople in Israel

Category:People named in the Paradise Papers

Category:Russian emigrants to Israel

Category:People who renounced Russian citizenship