Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, known as the “invisible billionaire’’ and the man behind the world’s largest encrypted messaging platforms, has once again ignited global headlines. In a recent interview given to French magazine Le Point, the 40-year-old tech tycoon disclosed that he has 106 children and that none of them will receive a share of his $17 billion fortune for the next 30 years. Out of them, there is a mix of six biological children from three women, and around 100 are born through sperm donations all over 12 countries.
“They weren’t publicity stunt at all,” Durov stated. He explained that his involvement started 15 years ago when he donated sperm to help a friend, only to later be aware that he was the biological father of over a hundred children. Despite their different origins, he mentioned, “They’re all my children. Whether natural or from donations, they’all be treated equally.”
Durov has recently written a will, and because of that, he says that legal uncertainties are surrounding him. He is currently facing criminal charges related to money laundering, drug trafficking, and cheating. According to him, all the accusations are a “big setup”.
Durov’s inheritance plan
He also shared his planning on his fortune, he told the outlet, “I decided that my children would not have access to my fortune until a period of thirty years has passed, starting from today.” Durov wants them to grow independently, without being moulded by wealth too soon. “I don’t want them fighting over money after I’m gone.”
Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing to hand over protester data. As of now, he is a French citizen living abroad, following a simple lifestyle. He is keeping away from smartphones, sugar, and caffeine. “Notifications are parasites in our lives,” he stated while choosing an iPad for staying focused and present.
Replying to French authorities’ accusations that Telegram is being misused for illegal activities, Durov denied the statement and defended the app’s secure encryption. “We can monitor public channels, but private messages remain private. That’s the core of our values.”