Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov has unveiled an extraordinary personal decision to divide his estimated $17.1 billion fortune among more than 106 children, including six biological offspring and over 100 others conceived via anonymous sperm donations in 12 countries.
In an exclusive interview with French publication Le Point, the 40-year-old tech billionaire emphasized that all his children — regardless of how they were conceived — will be treated equally under his estate.
“I make no difference between my children: 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,” Durov stated.
No Access to Inheritance Until 2055
Despite assigning future wealth to his children, Durov has stipulated that none of them will gain access to the inheritance until June 19, 2055 — exactly 30 years from the date of the interview.
This delayed timeline, he explained, is meant to ensure they develop independence and resilience before inheriting wealth.
“I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone… not to be dependent on a bank account,” he said.
Timing Tied to Legal Risks and Personal Philosophy
Durov also cited the growing risks associated with his work in tech and privacy as part of his motivation for outlining his estate plan now.
The decision comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny in France, where he was arrested in August 2024 on charges linked to the alleged use of Telegram for hosting illegal content. While currently under judicial supervision, Durov maintains his innocence.
“Nothing has ever been proven showing that I am, even for a second, guilty of anything,” he said, portraying the charges as politically motivated.
He added, “Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states,” underscoring his long-standing stance on digital privacy and resistance to state surveillance.
A Radical But Consistent Vision
Durov, often dubbed “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg,” has long positioned himself as a digital libertarian — advocating for end-to-end encryption, resisting government backdoors, and building platforms for secure communication. His unconventional estate planning and commitment to anonymity in parenthood reflect his broader philosophy: a blend of individual freedom, defiance of convention, and strategic foresight.
With this latest move, Durov appears not only to be shaping the future of digital communication, but also that of his vast and unconventional family.