Let A_n be an n by n random matrix whose entries are independent real random variables of sub-gaussian distribution with mean zero and variance one. In this talk we show that the determinant of |A_n| follows a log-normal law" (joint with Van Vu) Let A_n be an n by n random matrix whose entries are independent real random variables of sub-gaussian distribution with mean zero and variance one. In this talk we show that the determinant of |A_n| follows a log-normal law" (joint with Van Vu)