Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram and often dubbed “the Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” has shocked the world again — this time with a legacy plan that’s as unconventional as his rise to tech fame.
In an exclusive interview with French political magazine Le Point, Durov revealed that his estimated $13.9 billion fortune will be split among more than 100 children he claims to have fathered.
Yes, you read that right.
“I don’t want them to tear each other apart after my death,” he said, emphasizing that all his biological children — whether born through relationships or via sperm donation — will have equal rights to his inheritance.
💼 The Legacy of a Tech Maverick
Durov, 40, who built Telegram into a global messaging empire with over a billion monthly active users, is no stranger to controversy. After being ousted from VKontakte (Russia’s version of Facebook) for refusing Kremlin censorship demands in 2014, he launched Telegram as a privacy-first alternative to mainstream social platforms. The platform has since become a go-to hub for journalists, activists, and — controversially — fringe groups and criminal networks.
From crypto traders to freedom fighters to conspiracy theorists, Telegram hosts them all — which has earned the app both praise and scrutiny.
But even for someone who built a career on disruption, this latest revelation about his personal life and estate planning comes as a surprise.
👶 Who Are the 100+ Children?
Durov claims he is officially the father of six children from three partners, but that a fertility clinic informed him that his past sperm donations over the last 15 years have led to over 100 births in 12 countries.
And now, in an unprecedented act of paternal responsibility, Durov says every one of those children will inherit part of his wealth. But not immediately.
“I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves,” Durov said, explaining that they won’t have access to the inheritance for 30 years. In a world obsessed with generational wealth, his philosophy is radically different — one that seeks to build character before fortune.
🕵️♂️ Controversy in France
This personal bombshell comes as Durov faces serious legal issues in France. He was arrested last year over allegations that Telegram failed to sufficiently moderate illegal content — ranging from drug trafficking to child abuse material.
Durov called the charges “totally absurd”, likening them to blaming phone manufacturers for criminal calls.
“Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn’t make those who run it criminals,” he told Le Point.
Telegram has long positioned itself as a bastion of digital freedom and privacy — a stance that pits it against governments worldwide who seek greater access and oversight.
🌍 A Stateless Billionaire
Durov now lives in Dubai, holding dual citizenship in France and the UAE. He has effectively been a digital nomad, often portrayed as a libertarian icon with a tech-utopian dream: a world where users, not governments, control communication.
But this recent paternal disclosure adds a surprising human dimension to the man often seen as cold, calculated, and ideologically rigid.
🤔 Editorial Thoughts: Inheritance, Ethics & the Age of Digital Fatherhood
This story isn’t just a tech billionaire making headlines — it opens the door to much deeper societal questions.
- What does responsible fatherhood look like in the age of anonymity and sperm donation?
- Should wealth be distributed based solely on biology?
- Is financial inheritance the best way to ensure legacy — or a crutch that impedes personal growth?
Durov’s statement that he wrote a will early “because defending freedom earns you enemies” underscores a sobering truth: in today’s hyper-connected world, tech leaders often walk a thin line between heroism and villainy.
But in pledging billions to a generation of children he may never know personally, Durov invites a new form of philosophical debate. Is this legacy an act of generosity, or merely a headline-grabbing eccentricity?
Only time — and perhaps those 100+ future heirs — will tell.
Danchima Media Commentary.
> Legacy is no longer just about land, family names, or businesses. In the digital age, it’s about impact — ethical, philosophical, and social. As Telegram’s founder sets a new precedent, we’re reminded that the future of wealth, family, and responsibility is evolving — and fast.
