Quote from Alex bobby on June 21, 2025, 3:06 AM

Pavel Durov to Split Billion-Dollar Fortune Among More Than 100 Children

In a revelation that has both shocked and fascinated the tech world, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced his plan to divide his massive fortune among more than 100 of his children — including six officially recognized offspring and dozens more born via sperm donation across the globe.

The 40-year-old Russian-born tech tycoon, often dubbed the "Mark Zuckerberg of Russia," made the announcement in a wide-ranging interview with Le Point, a French magazine. The move, he explained, is motivated by a desire to ensure fairness among his offspring and prevent future conflicts over inheritance.

“I don’t want them to tear each other apart after my death,” Durov told Le Point. “They will all have the same rights.”

Father to Over 100 Children

While Durov officially recognizes six children born to three women, he revealed that he has also fathered over 100 more children through sperm donations in at least 12 different countries. These donations, he said, were intentional — part of his personal philosophy about spreading his genetic legacy. Durov declined to identify the mothers or provide details on how the arrangements were made, citing privacy.

His approach echoes the growing global conversation around unconventional family structures and the rights of children born through sperm or egg donation. In Durov’s case, it has sparked debate about paternal responsibility, inheritance laws, and the ethics of anonymous parenting at scale.

No Early Access to Inheritance

Despite pledging to divide his wealth equally among all his children, Durov has made it clear that they won’t be able to touch it for decades. “I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account,” he explained.

He reportedly included this condition in a will he recently completed, which delays inheritance access by at least 30 years — when his youngest children will likely be in their 30s or 40s. According to Durov, this long delay is designed to protect them from entitlement, complacency, and dependence.

This move mirrors a growing trend among billionaires, including tech moguls like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, who advocate for modest inheritances to ensure their children build independent lives.

A Life Built on Libertarian Ideals

Durov, who lives in Dubai, has long been known for his libertarian views on freedom, privacy, and government intervention. He famously fled Russia in 2014 after refusing to hand over user data from VKontakte, the Russian social media giant he co-founded. That decision led him to start Telegram — now one of the most popular encrypted messaging platforms in the world, with over a billion monthly users.

The app is celebrated for its robust encryption and refusal to share data with governments. But that same stance has landed Durov in hot water, including his recent arrest in France over allegations that Telegram has not done enough to curb illegal activity on the platform. Durov has denied the accusations, calling them “totally absurd.”

“Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn’t make those who run it criminals,” he said in the interview.

A Will Made in a World of Uncertainty

Durov’s decision to formalize his inheritance plans comes amid what he described as growing threats from “powerful states” unhappy with his commitment to privacy and freedom of communication. He hinted that these threats may have accelerated his decision to make a will.

“Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states,” he warned.

Though he did not name specific governments, it is widely known that Telegram has been under pressure from multiple countries — including Russia, Germany, and Iran — to implement stricter moderation policies and share user data.

What Comes Next?

As details of Durov’s inheritance plans make waves online, legal experts are likely to raise questions about how this wealth distribution will play out across jurisdictions. With children born in more than a dozen countries, inheritance laws, parental rights, and citizenship complexities will surely arise.

More importantly, Durov’s announcement forces a deeper cultural conversation: What does legacy mean in the digital age? Can wealth — and genetics — be spread equitably without emotional, legal, or societal fallout? And how do we define family in a world where one man can father over 100 children?

Whatever the answers, one thing is certain: Pavel Durov is once again challenging convention — not just in tech, but in life itself.

Conclusion

Pavel Durov’s decision to divide his fortune among more than 100 children reflects not only his unorthodox lifestyle but also his deep-rooted belief in personal independence, fairness, and legacy beyond wealth. By ensuring that each child — biological or through donation — receives equal recognition and future support, he challenges traditional notions of inheritance, fatherhood, and responsibility.

As the founder of one of the world’s most influential messaging platforms, Durov is no stranger to controversy or bold moves. His inheritance plan is just the latest chapter in a life defined by disruption — both in the tech world and in how we think about family, freedom, and the future. Whether admired or criticised, his actions will undoubtedly spark debate for years to come.

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Telegram founder Pavel Durov announces plans to divide his multi-billion-dollar fortune among over 100 of his children. Discover his reasons, legacy philosophy, and the legal and ethical questions raised.