Telegram Founder Allocates $160 Million to Each of His Over 100 Children

Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram, is currently ranked 118th on the Forbes list of the world's richest individuals, with a net worth of $17.1 billion. Notably, he has a remarkable number of children--approximately 106 in total, with six conceived through traditional means and more than 100 resulting from sperm donations.

In a recent interview, Durov disclosed his plans for his children's inheritance, stating that they will each receive equal shares of his wealth. With 106 offspring, this would amount to around $160 million (approximately EUR139 million) for each child.

The tech billionaire, who holds French citizenship and resides in Dubai, made his will at the age of 40. He emphasized his intention to treat all of his children equally, stating that they should have the same rights and opportunities. To prevent any disputes among them after his passing, he wants to ensure that they understand they are all his children, deserving of equal treatment.

Durov aims for the inheritance to serve as a foundation for his children as they embark on their adult lives. He believes it is essential for them to live independently, build their own lives, and gain self-confidence, rather than relying solely on a bank account.

His journey with sperm donation began 15 years ago, initially motivated by a desire to help a friend fulfill their wish for children. He learned that over 100 babies had been conceived through this method across 12 different countries.

Despite leading a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and sugar, Durov has taken the step to draft a will at 40, reflecting on the potential risks associated with his line of work. He noted that advocating for freedom often attracts powerful adversaries, which prompted him to safeguard both his children and his business. He expressed a desire for Telegram to continue adhering to the principles he champions.

Pavel Durov co-founded vk.com, a Russian social media platform, with his brother in 2006. His refusal to comply with demands from the Russian secret services to close groups organizing anti-government protests led to significant conflict with authorities. He also resisted requests to delete the profile of government critic Alexei Navalny. The proceeds from the sale of vk.com allowed him to propel Telegram into a globally recognized messaging service, with its estimated value reaching up to $30 billion.