The Man Beyond Wealth: Grigori Perelman’s Extraordinary Journey
This man is neither destitute nor a beggar or homeless individual. He is Grigori Yakovlevich Perelman, a genius mathematician who solved one of history’s most challenging mathematical problems. A Russian blogger captured his photo in the St. Petersburg Metro, where he appeared with unkempt hair, a long beard, and worn-out shoes—an appearance that might lead some to mistake him for a beggar.
For solving the Poincaré Conjecture, the Clay Mathematics Institute awarded Perelman a $1 million prize. However, he declined the reward, stating:
"If the solution is correct, no further recognition is needed."
To this day, the Poincaré Conjecture remains the only solved Millennium Prize Problem.
Despite being regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of his time, Perelman withdrew from the scientific community, severed ties with colleagues, and chose a life of solitude. His story is a poignant reminder that great scientific achievements often come with isolation.
In St. Petersburg, young people have started wearing t-shirts featuring his image alongside the phrase: "You can’t buy everything." By rejecting societal norms and academic expectations, Perelman achieved unparalleled success while embracing simplicity and solitude.