He solved the world’s hardest math problem but turned down fame and the $1 million reward

Dr. Grigori Perelman, a Russian mathematician who was celebrated for solving a famously tricky math problem, has declined a $1 million prize.

Despite being regarded as one of the world’s greatest minds, the 44-year-old lives a quiet, solitary life in a simple apartment in St. Petersburg.

When asked about his decision, he replied from behind a closed door, saying, “I have all I want.”

In 1904, French mathematician Henri Poincaré proposed a groundbreaking idea, known as Poincaré’s conjecture, about the nature of three-dimensional shapes.

He suggested that if every loop in a finite three-dimensional space can be tightened to a single point, the space must be a three-dimensional sphere.

While the concept is highly technical, it has played a major role in advancing the field of mathematics.

The Poincaré conjecture was so challenging that it remained unsolved for nearly a century.

After decades of effort by mathematicians worldwide, Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman made a historic breakthrough in 2002, publishing his proof in a series of papers.

Leading experts carefully reviewed his work and confirmed its accuracy.

In 2010, the Clay Mathematics Institute in Massachusetts honored Perelman’s achievement by awarding him the prestigious Millennium Prize and a $1 million cash reward.

Dr. Grigori Perelman’s decision to reject the $1 million prize from the Clay Mathematics Institute was not his first time turning down a major honor.

He had previously refused the Fields Medal, often called the Nobel Prize of mathematics, citing a dislike for public attention and frustration with the mathematical community.

“I’m not interested in money or fame; I don’t want to be on display like an animal in a zoo,” he said, “I’m not a hero of mathematics. I’m not even that successful; that is why I don’t want to have everybody looking at me.”

Perelman argued that recognition and rewards should be shared more fairly, specifically crediting Richard S. Hamilton for his foundational work on the Ricci flow, which was essential to his solution.

His steadfast principles and rejection of traditional accolades have cemented his reputation as a unique and unconventional figure in mathematics.

His stark living conditions reflect the private and solitary life of Dr. Grigori Perelman.

According to his neighbor, Vera Petrovna, his apartment is bare, furnished with only a table, a stool, and a bed with a stained mattress left behind by previous tenants.

The rundown space has also become overrun with cockroaches, per the Daily Mail.

Dr. Grigori Perelman’s reclusive tendencies are evident in his limited interactions with the outside world. He consistently avoids engaging with journalists who often gather near his home.

On one occasion, when a reporter reached him by phone, he dismissed the call with a brief remark: “You are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms.”

Neighbors who have crossed paths with him describe him as quiet and eccentric, often dressed in the same worn-out coat and trousers.

His unkempt beard, long nails, and habit of avoiding eye contact—preferring to look down as he walks—further reflect his detachment from social norms and public attention.

Dr. Grigori Perelman’s unconventional nature is not limited to his personal habits.

Sergei Kisliakov, director of the Steklov Mathematics Institute, where Dr. Perelman previously worked, described him as having an unusual moral compass, The Guardian reported.

According to Kisliakov, Perelman strongly dislikes even minor actions he perceives as wrong, reflecting an intense sensitivity to ethical issues.

“He has rather strange moral principles. He feels tiny improper things very strongly,” says Kisliakov.

Dr. Perelman’s frustration with the mathematical community caused him to leave the field.

His decision to reject the Fields Medal may have been due to his belief that his peers were not qualified to honor his achievements.

Kisliakov explained that Dr. Grigori Perelman severed all ties with the mathematical community and sought work outside the field. “I’m not sure if he succeeded,” he added.

Here’s a quick video from Newsthink about Dr. Grigori Perelman, who solved the $1 million math problem: