Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram, has made headlines with a bold and highly unconventional revelation: he plans to divide his entire fortune—estimated at over $17 billion—among his more than 100 children, most of whom were conceived via sperm donation.
In an exclusive interview with Le Point, the 40-year-old billionaire confirmed that he is the biological father of at least 106 children. While six were conceived naturally with three different partners, the rest were born in 12 different countries through sperm donation—a practice Durov began 15 years ago. He emphasized that all of them will be treated equally in his legacy:
“I make no difference between my children. They are all my children, and will all have the same rights!”
The Inheritance Plan
Each of Durov's children is set to inherit a share of his fortune, which ranges between $13.9 billion and $17.1 billion (according to Bloomberg and Forbes). This means that each child could receive approximately $131–161 million, depending on the final valuation. However, there's a key stipulation:
The inheritance will be locked until June 19, 2055—30 years after the date of the interview.
Durov says this delay is intentional, aimed at ensuring the children grow up independently, without relying on wealth too early in life.
Legal Trouble in France
This announcement comes amid a turbulent time for Durov. In August 2024, he was arrested at Le Bourget Airport in France, following his arrival from Azerbaijan. French authorities are investigating Durov for complicity in enabling illegal activity on Telegram, including:
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Child sexual abuse material
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Drug trafficking
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Money laundering
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Organized crime
The investigation is spearheaded by OFMIN, the French agency dedicated to fighting crimes against minors. Durov was held for up to 96 hours for questioning—a move permitted under French law in serious criminal cases. He has denied all charges, telling Le Point:
“Nothing has ever been proven showing that I am, even for a second, guilty of anything.”
He also hinted that his high-profile stance on privacy has made him a target:
“Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states.”
Telegram's Response
Telegram has strongly defended Durov, calling the allegations “absurd.” In a statement, the company said:
“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
The platform reiterated its compliance with EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and asserted that its content moderation policies meet industry standards.
Context and Public Reaction
Founded in 2013, Telegram is praised for its encryption technology and privacy protections, but these very features have also put it at odds with governments and law enforcement. Critics argue it’s a haven for illegal activity; defenders say it’s a necessary shield for human rights and freedom of speech.
Durov’s personal revelations—his vast number of children, distributed wealth, and intense legal scrutiny—now paint him as both a visionary privacy crusader and a controversial figure challenging traditional structures of power, family, and tech regulation.
Bottom Line
This is more than just a story of inheritance—it's about a billionaire betting on the future, both in terms of his children and his ideology. As the legal drama unfolds and his heirs wait three decades for their fortunes, Pavel Durov’s legacy promises to remain as polarizing as the encrypted app he created.
