Introduction: A Billionaire’s Unconventional Legacy
In a world where billionaires often guard their fortunes within complex family trusts and corporate structures, Pavel Durov, the elusive founder of Telegram, has made a jaw-dropping revelation:
“I will leave my entire fortune, estimated at over $17 billion, to my children—all of them.”
But it’s not just the sum that’s surprising—it’s who he defines as “his children.”
Over 100 Heirs — Through Donations and Love
Durov has fathered six children with three women, but that’s not all. He’s also confirmed that he donated sperm in over a dozen countries, resulting in over 100 additional children. That brings the total count to over 106 — all of whom he calls “my children.”
He made this public during an exclusive interview with Le Point, saying:
“They are all my children and they will all have the same rights.”
His goal? To treat each child equally, regardless of how or where they were conceived.
The Fortune: How It Will Be Shared
According to Forbes and Bloomberg, Durov’s net worth currently hovers between $13.9 billion and $17.1 billion. Here’s how it breaks down:
Estimated inheritance per child: ~$130 million
Timing: No child will receive a cent until 30 years from now (i.e., not before 2055)
Why the delay? Durov wants them to live humble, driven lives and avoid the “curse” of entitlement.
“If they receive money early, they won’t be able to live normal lives.”
Telegram is one of the world’s most downloaded messaging apps, known for its encryption and privacy focus.
Why He’s Doing It: A Libertarian’s Dream
Known for his libertarian values, privacy-first tech stance, and rejection of government control, Durov says this move reflects his vision of freedom, fairness, and self-reliance.
He’s famously quoted as saying:
“Freedom is more important than money.”
The Telegram founder has long resisted corporate buyouts and has even been in self-imposed exile from Russia, residing now in Dubai.
Legal Troubles Cast a Shadow
Though his inheritance plan is admirable to some, others are raising eyebrows. Durov has:
Been arrested in France in 2024 over Telegram’s alleged failure to curb extremist content.
Faced allegations from an ex-partner in Switzerland over child support and abuse — allegations he strongly denies.
Still, his lawyers insist these issues won’t affect his long-term inheritance strategy.
Durov speaks at a global tech summit in 2023.
What This Means for the Tech World
Pavel Durov is not just building encrypted messaging tools — he’s building a legacy model for future generations of entrepreneurs:
Tech + Reproduction: Using donor conception as part of legacy planning is rare among billionaires.
Delayed Wealth: His model pushes for long-term thinking, something often absent in wealthy families.
Equal Distribution: With no legal distinctions between biological and donor-conceived children, Durov is redefining the concept of “family wealth.”
Conclusion
Durov’s decision is a powerful reflection of his beliefs. It challenges norms, raises moral questions, and will likely influence how future billionaires think about their money and their offspring.
Whether seen as radical, irresponsible, or visionary, one thing is clear:
Pavel Durov isn’t just coding the future — he’s scripting a new form of inheritance.
