Dubai, June 19, 2025 — In a stunning and unconventional revelation, Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of the popular encrypted messaging app Telegram, announced that his estimated net worth of $13.9 billion will be distributed among more than 100 children he has fathered.
The announcement came during a wide-ranging interview published on June 19, in which Durov shared rare insights into his personal life, wealth, and legacy planning. The 40-year-old tech mogul, often dubbed the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” stated that his fortune would not be reserved for a select few but rather shared with the expansive lineage he has cultivated over the years.
A Vast Legacy
Durov revealed that he has six children from relationships with three different partners, but the real headline came when he confirmed that more than 100 additional children had been conceived through his voluntary sperm donations to a fertility clinic over the last decade.
“I believe in spreading intelligence, creativity, and independence,” Durov reportedly said in the interview. “These children represent the future, and I want each of them to have the opportunity to flourish without financial limitations.”
A New Vision of Inheritance
Durov’s decision challenges traditional notions of inheritance and legacy. While many billionaires choose to leave their fortunes to a few heirs or donate them to philanthropic foundations, Durov is taking a radically personal and human-centered approach.
“It’s not just about money,” he emphasized. “It’s about giving every child I brought into this world a chance to live with dignity, opportunity, and the means to make an impact.”
He explained that the wealth would be divided proportionally and fairly, managed through a trust to ensure long-term support and sustainability for all of his children.
Life in Dubai and a Private Persona
Despite his massive fortune and global influence, Durov has remained notoriously private. Living in Dubai for several years, he has maintained a low-profile lifestyle while continuing to run Telegram, a platform known for its commitment to privacy and freedom of expression. Telegram now boasts more than 900 million active users, further fueling Durov’s rise in tech and entrepreneurial circles.
Unlike many tech billionaires, Durov has refrained from making frequent public appearances or controversial political statements. However, this recent disclosure has placed him back into the spotlight—not for his tech innovations, but for his philosophical approach to family and wealth distribution.
Public Reactions and Ethical Questions
The announcement has sparked intense public discussion across social media and news outlets. Supporters have praised Durov for his boldness and generosity, calling it a “visionary act of legacy planning”, while others have raised ethical and logistical questions about the children’s futures and the implications of wealth distribution at such a scale.
Legal experts have also weighed in, noting that while it’s within his rights to structure his estate in any way he sees fit, the practicalities of confirming biological lineage and managing such a vast inheritance may pose unique legal challenges.
Looking Ahead
Whether viewed as eccentric or revolutionary, Pavel Durov’s approach to legacy redefines what it means to build a lasting impact. By sharing his fortune with over 100 children, he’s not only rewriting the rules of billionaire inheritance but also sparking a global conversation about identity, responsibility, and the meaning of family in the 21st century.
As Telegram continues to grow and Durov’s influence expands, the world will be watching closely—not just for his next tech move, but for how this unprecedented story of legacy unfolds.
