“Legend” of Russian telecom, founder of “Beeline” Dmitry Zimin died at the age of 88
Dmitry Zimin. Photo: Kirill Kallinikov / RIA Novosti
Died the founder of the Russian telecommunications company “Beeline” Dmitry Zimin. This was announced by his son Boris on his Facebook.
He died in Switzerland at the age of 89 after a long struggle with cancer.
He left in full consciousness, peacefully, a little sad about us and about life
Boris Ziminsyn of the president of “Beeline” Dmitry Zimin
Zimin's legacy
Before leaving for business, Zimin was one of the leading designers of the defense radar system in Moscow. For his work, he was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation.
In 1992, together with Konstantin Kuzov, he founded VimpelCom-Communications, which then operated under the Beeline trademark. In 2005, Forbes estimated Zimin's fortune at $ 520 million.
The businessman was a major philanthropist – he created and headed the Dynasty Fund for Fundamental Science Support. In 2016, he and his son founded the international non-profit organization Zimin Foundation, which supports science and education. In addition, Zimin was a co-founder of the Enlightener Prize.
Zimin noted that “leaving business for charity is“ a standard way, ordinary human behavior ”. The entrepreneur was known for his critical position on the political situation in Russia. After the Dynasty Foundation was included in the register of non-profit organizations (NPOs) performing the functions of a “foreign agent”, Zimin emigrated from Russia.
Legend and Founding Father
In the press service of “Beeline” Zimin was called a legend of the entire telecom industry. The company also expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased businessman and said that he will forever remain the talisman and honorary president of the company that he invented and founded.
Venture investor, member of the board of directors of VEON Ltd (Vimpelcom is a part of VEON) Vasily Sidorov told RBC that Zimin lived “a bright and significant life of a Soviet, Russian intellectual, engineer, entrepreneur.” He also drew attention to his inexhaustible zest for life.
In turn, the Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation Maksut Shadayev also commented on Zimin's death. “He stood at the origins of our industry, he can definitely be attributed to the founding fathers of the current telecom in the form in which our industry exists. And, of course, one cannot fail to note his highest moral and moral qualities, “he told Izvestia.
