Telegram Co-Founder Plans to Leave $17 Billion to His 106 Children

Pavel Durov, co-founder of Telegram, revealed he intends to leave his $17.1 billion fortune equally to his 106 children—both biological and those conceived through sperm donation.

Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, 40, told French publication Le Point that he plans to divide his net worth among all of his children. In addition to his six biological children, Durov has fathered more than 100 children via sperm donation across 12 countries.

The billionaire explained he began donating sperm "to help a friend," and that these donations have mostly remained anonymous.

"I want to specify that I make no difference between my children: There are those who were conceived naturally and those who come from my sperm donations," Durov said. "They are all my children and will all have the same rights!"

However, Durov said his children will not be able to access their inheritances until 30 years after the interview, setting the date at June 19, 2055. "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 shared.

He cited the risks involved in his work, referencing the legal challenges Telegram has faced due to its encryption and privacy features, which have drawn scrutiny from law enforcement. "Nothing has ever been proven showing that I am, even for a second, guilty of anything," Durov stated. "Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states."

Telegram, launched in 2013, is known for its strong privacy protections, making it popular worldwide but also controversial with authorities. Durov is estimated to be worth an approximate $17.1 billion, according to Forbes.