Pavel Durov, the co-founder of the popular encrypted messaging platform Telegram, has made headlines with his decision to divide his staggering $17.1 billion fortune among at least 106 children, a significant portion of whom were born through sperm donation.
In an intriguing interview with the French publication Le Point, the 40-year-old tech mogul disclosed this unconventional family arrangement and his reasoning behind it.
Durov explained that he has six children conceived through natural means, while over 100 others were conceived via sperm donation in a total of 12 different countries.
He emphasised that he considers all of these children equally, stating, “I make no distinction between them. They are all my children and will all have the same rights.”
This inclusive approach reflects his commitment to ensuring that all his offspring have equal access to the future inheritance he has structured for them.
Durov has set a specific timeline for when his children will gain access to their inheritance: they will not receive any financial benefits until June 19, 2055, which is 30 years from the date of the interview.
He elaborated on this decision, expressing a desire for them to develop independence and resilience, stating, “I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone… not to be dependent on a bank account.”
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Durov’s decision to arrange his estate in this manner is also influenced by the inherent risks associated with his work.
Telegram, known for its strong emphasis on user privacy and encrypted messaging, has faced ongoing scrutiny from law enforcement agencies due to allegations of hosting illegal content on its platform.
This scrutiny has only intensified in recent years, as authorities have pushed for greater regulation of online communication.
In August 2024, Durov was formally charged by French prosecutors with complicity in facilitating a platform that allegedly allowed crimes such as child abuse, drug trafficking, and fraud to prosper.
He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that “nothing has ever been proven” to implicate him in illegal activities.
“I am, even for a second, guilty of anything,” he asserted during the interview.
Durov, who has built a reputation for defending digital freedoms, acknowledged the potential backlash of his position, stating, “defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states.”
