Telegram Founder Pavel Durov to Leave $13 Billion Fortune to Over 100 Children
| 2025-06-20
Telegram founder Pavel Durov
Telegram founder Pavel Durov plans to bequeath his $13.9 billion fortune to more than 100 children he has fathered, including via sperm donation.
Telegram founder to split vast fortune among over 100 offspring
Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, has revealed plans to leave his $13.9 billion fortune to more than 100 biological children—many born through sperm donations. The 40-year-old tech entrepreneur shared the unconventional decision in a recent interview with the French magazine Le Point, stating that all his children would have equal inheritance rights, regardless of how they were conceived.
Durov said he formalised these plans in a will and set a 30-year delay before any of his children can access the inheritance. “I want them to live like normal people… to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account,” he told the publication.
A legacy beyond bloodlines
Best known for launching Telegram in 2013 as a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream messaging platforms, Durov has rarely spoken about his personal life. In the interview, he disclosed that he has six children born naturally with three different partners, and over 100 others conceived through sperm donation over the past 15 years.
According to Durov, his involvement in sperm donation began when he helped a friend start a family. Since then, he says, he has contributed to more than 100 births across 12 countries, and at least one fertility clinic still stores his sperm for anonymous use.
“All my children will have the same rights,” he stated. If evenly distributed today, each child would stand to inherit roughly $131 million.
Public reaction and scrutiny
The revelation has drawn widespread attention online, with many users on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit reacting with humour and astonishment. Comments ranged from calling Durov a “modern-day Genghis Khan” to playful references like “Telegram has a mindset of abundance.”
Despite the internet’s light-hearted take, Durov’s decision comes amid broader conversations about inheritance, legacy, and the role of technology billionaires in shaping unconventional family models.
Facing legal scrutiny in France
While Durov's personal revelations have captured headlines, he is also contending with legal issues in France. French prosecutors have charged him over allegations that Telegram has been used to facilitate illegal activities, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking.
Durov has strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that messaging platforms should not be held liable for criminal misuse. “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals,” he told Le Point.
A spartan lifestyle
Known for his privacy and disciplined lifestyle, Durov also shared details of his daily routine. He claims to avoid all stimulants—including alcohol, coffee, and sugar—and adheres to a strict fitness regime involving hundreds of push-ups and squats each day. He has never married and prefers to live alone, a lifestyle he says helps him maintain clarity and focus.
Context: A tech titan with an unusual legacy
Often referred to as the “Russian Mark Zuckerberg,” Durov first gained prominence by co-founding VKontakte, Russia’s largest social media network, before a political fallout prompted his exit. He then launched Telegram, which quickly grew in popularity for its encrypted messaging features and resistance to government surveillance.
His decision to distribute his wealth among a vast number of children reflects both a philosophical stance and a strategic approach to inheritance. Unlike traditional succession plans seen among the world’s wealthiest individuals, Durov’s model challenges norms around family, identity, and financial privilege.
As Durov continues to lead Telegram while weathering legal and public scrutiny, his legacy may now be shaped as much by his personal life choices as by his contributions to global digital communication.
Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, has revealed plans to leave his $13.9 billion fortune to more than 100 biological children—many born through sperm donations. The 40-year-old tech entrepreneur shared the unconventional decision in a recent interview with the French magazine Le Point, stating that all his children would have equal inheritance rights, regardless of how they were conceived.
Durov said he formalised these plans in a will and set a 30-year delay before any of his children can access the inheritance. “I want them to live like normal people… to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account,” he told the publication.
A legacy beyond bloodlines
Best known for launching Telegram in 2013 as a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream messaging platforms, Durov has rarely spoken about his personal life. In the interview, he disclosed that he has six children born naturally with three different partners, and over 100 others conceived through sperm donation over the past 15 years.
According to Durov, his involvement in sperm donation began when he helped a friend start a family. Since then, he says, he has contributed to more than 100 births across 12 countries, and at least one fertility clinic still stores his sperm for anonymous use.
“All my children will have the same rights,” he stated. If evenly distributed today, each child would stand to inherit roughly $131 million.
Public reaction and scrutiny
The revelation has drawn widespread attention online, with many users on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit reacting with humour and astonishment. Comments ranged from calling Durov a “modern-day Genghis Khan” to playful references like “Telegram has a mindset of abundance.”
Despite the internet’s light-hearted take, Durov’s decision comes amid broader conversations about inheritance, legacy, and the role of technology billionaires in shaping unconventional family models.
Facing legal scrutiny in France
While Durov's personal revelations have captured headlines, he is also contending with legal issues in France. French prosecutors have charged him over allegations that Telegram has been used to facilitate illegal activities, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking.
Durov has strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that messaging platforms should not be held liable for criminal misuse. “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals,” he told Le Point.
A spartan lifestyle
Known for his privacy and disciplined lifestyle, Durov also shared details of his daily routine. He claims to avoid all stimulants—including alcohol, coffee, and sugar—and adheres to a strict fitness regime involving hundreds of push-ups and squats each day. He has never married and prefers to live alone, a lifestyle he says helps him maintain clarity and focus.
Context: A tech titan with an unusual legacy
Often referred to as the “Russian Mark Zuckerberg,” Durov first gained prominence by co-founding VKontakte, Russia’s largest social media network, before a political fallout prompted his exit. He then launched Telegram, which quickly grew in popularity for its encrypted messaging features and resistance to government surveillance.
His decision to distribute his wealth among a vast number of children reflects both a philosophical stance and a strategic approach to inheritance. Unlike traditional succession plans seen among the world’s wealthiest individuals, Durov’s model challenges norms around family, identity, and financial privilege.
As Durov continues to lead Telegram while weathering legal and public scrutiny, his legacy may now be shaped as much by his personal life choices as by his contributions to global digital communication.
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