Grigori Perelman, a reclusive Russian mathematician, is renowned for his significant contributions to geometric analysis and for solving the Poincaré conjecture, one of the most challenging problems in mathematics.
Despite his achievements, he lives modestly in St. Petersburg with his mother and sister, indifferent to fame or recognition. Perelman avoids media attention, declines interviews, and has even refused prestigious awards, including the Fields Medal and a $1 million prize from the Clay Mathematics Institute, citing his disinterest in money and fame.
Born in Leningrad, Perelman showed an early talent for mathematics and later earned a Ph.D. from Leningrad State University. His work gained him positions at several universities in the United States.
However, after solving the Poincaré conjecture, which was celebrated globally and recognized as the “Breakthrough of the Year” by the journal Science in 2006, Perelman withdrew from professional mathematics. He expressed dissatisfaction with the ethical standards of the field and felt his peers were unworthy of judging his work.
Perelman’s reclusive nature and his decision to sever ties with the mathematical community have attracted widespread attention and speculation. He has been living in isolation, avoiding public life and declining to participate in any form of professional activity.
Despite this, he remains one of the most prominent figures in mathematics, known not only for his intellectual prowess but also for his unconventional lifestyle and strong moral principles. According to those who have studied his life, including science writer Masha Gessen, Perelman is content with his simple existence, stating, “I have all I want.”