- Pavel Durov says over 100 children will inherit his $13.9B fortune.
- He fathered six kids naturally and the rest through sperm donation.
- No inheritance will be accessed for 30 years—he wants them to earn their way.
- Wrote a will citing security risks tied to his tech freedom work.
- Faces legal heat in France over Telegram’s failure to curb online crime.
- Durov insists he’s committed to privacy and not responsible for user misuse.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has stunned the world with a revelation that he’s not just a tech billionaire—he’s a father to over 100 children. The 40-year-old entrepreneur says his massive wealth, estimated at $13.9 billion, will be shared equally among all of them.
Speaking to Le Point, a French political magazine, Durov explained he has six kids from three women, but the rest were born through sperm donation. “They are all my children and will all have the same rights,” he said, adding that he wants to avoid any family fights over money after he dies.
Despite the fortune he’s sitting on, Durov is in no hurry to hand over cash. He revealed that none of his children will access the money for at least 30 years.
“I want them to live like normal people,” Durov said. “They should grow through challenges, not a bank account.”
The Telegram boss said he’s written a will, not because of age, but due to threats linked to his work. He believes standing up for digital freedom makes you an enemy of powerful states, hence the need for planning ahead.
Telegram, the app Durov launched with a promise of complete user privacy, now serves over a billion active users each month. But with that success has come serious heat—especially from the French government.
Durov was arrested last year in France, accused of allowing Telegram to become a haven for criminal content including drug sales, child abuse material, and fraud.
Durov, however, has hit back at the allegations, calling them “totally absurd.” He argues that just because bad actors use Telegram, it doesn’t mean the platform’s team is complicit.
“Criminals also use phones and email. That doesn’t make Apple or Google criminals,” he noted.
He emphasized that Telegram continues to make efforts in moderating content, while still maintaining its core mission of digital freedom.
Even with the legal threats and public criticism, Durov isn’t backing down. He says his commitment to protecting users’ privacy is unshaken.
Whether it’s defending freedom online or preparing 100-plus kids for life without handouts, Pavel Durov continues to chart his own path—alone, loud, and fiercely private.
