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Telegram’s Billionaire CEO Pavel Durov to Leave $17 Billion Fortune to His 100+ Children — But There’s a Catch

In a move that’s as unconventional as the man himself, Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has revealed he will divide his entire fortune — estimated at over $17 billion — among his more than 100 children. But the inheritance will come with a surprising twist: the children won’t see a dime until the year 2055.

In an exclusive interview with Le Point, the 40-year-old tech mogul shared that he is the biological father of at least 106 children — six conceived naturally with three different women and the remaining 100+ born via anonymous sperm donations across 12 countries over the past 15 years.

“I make no difference between my children,” Durov emphasized. “There are those who were conceived naturally and those who come from my sperm donations — they are all my children and will all have the same rights.”

A Legacy of Equality and Independence

Durov’s plan, drafted while preparing his will, ensures each of his children receives an equal share of his massive fortune — potentially between $131 million and $161 million per child. However, none of them will have access to their inheritance until June 19, 2055, 30 years from the date of the interview.

Why the delay? According to Durov, the goal is to allow his children to grow up without relying on wealth.

“I want them to live like normal people,” he said. “To build themselves up, to trust themselves, to create — not to be dependent on a bank account.”

The revelation of Durov’s elaborate family and legacy plans comes amid serious legal trouble in France.

Facing Legal Fire in France

In August 2024, Durov was arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget Airport after arriving from Azerbaijan in his private jet. He is currently under investigation for allegedly facilitating illegal activities through Telegram, including child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

The investigation, led by OFMIN (France’s federal agency against violence toward minors), allowed for up to 96 hours of detention to question Durov. He remains under legal scrutiny, though no formal charges have been made as of now.

“Nothing has ever been proven showing that I am, even for a second, guilty of anything,” Durov told Le Point, defending his position. “Defending freedoms earns you many enemies — even within powerful states.”

Telegram Responds: “Our CEO Has Nothing to Hide”

Telegram, the privacy-first messaging platform that Durov co-founded in 2013, quickly came to his defense. In a public statement, the company dismissed the allegations:

“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”

The company also reiterated its compliance with European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and emphasized that its content moderation policies align with industry standards.

With nearly a billion users globally, Telegram is widely used for its end-to-end encryption and firm stance on user privacy. While praised by privacy advocates, this approach has also earned criticism from law enforcement and governments seeking more oversight.

Durov, however, remains unwavering.

“Just because criminals use our messaging service, among many others, doesn’t make those who run it criminals,” he said.

A Tech Titan Unlike Any Other

From creating a billion-dollar messaging app to fathering over 100 children across continents, Pavel Durov continues to defy conventions. His story isn’t just about wealth or technology — it’s about freedom, legacy, and independence.

Whether viewed as a visionary or a rebel, Durov’s next chapter — as both a father to a global family and the face of a platform under fire — is set to be one of the most compelling sagas in tech today.

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