Telegram CEO Pavel Durov to leave $13.9 billion fortune to over 100 children
Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of Telegram, has revealed that he intends to bequeath his entire fortune, valued at approximately $13.9 billion to more than 100 children he has fathered, including those born through sperm donation.
In a candid interview with French magazine Le Point, the 40-year-old tech magnate disclosed that he is the legal parent of six children from three different women. However, over the past 15 years, Durov has also been a sperm donor, and he estimates that over 100 children have been conceived as a result.
"I make no distinction between my children, whether they were conceived naturally or through donation, they are all mine and will be treated equally," Durov told the magazine.
Despite the vast fortune at stake, the Russian-born entrepreneur said his heirs would not gain access to the wealth immediately. "I recently drafted my will. I've decided that my children will not be allowed to inherit anything until thirty years from today," he explained.
Durov is known for his unorthodox lifestyle and outspoken persona. He regularly shares updates with his 11.1 million Telegram followers, often showcasing his rigorous fitness regime, which reportedly includes 300 push-ups and 300 squats daily and his strict avoidance of alcohol, coffee, and tea. In a recent Easter post, he appeared bare-chested, sparking headlines and social media chatter.
Under his leadership, Telegram has grown into one of the world's most-used messaging platforms, now boasting over one billion active users. However, the app and its founder have not been without controversy. French authorities last year charged Durov, alleging complicity in crimes committed via the Telegram platform. Durov has firmly denied the accusations.
Born in Russia and now operating from the Middle East, Durov has long positioned himself as a champion of digital privacy and individual freedom. His latest revelations add another eccentric chapter to a life already marked by radical independence and disruption.
(With inputs from Bloomberg)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
All my 100+ children will inherit my $13.9 billion fortune: Telegram CEO
Telegram billionaire founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov plans to leave his vast fortune to the more than 100 children he's fathered, according to an interview with France's Le Point magazine. Durov said he's the official father of six children with three different partners. He also started sperm donation fifteen years ago and said more than 100 babies had been conceived that way. He doesn't want his kids to touch his fortune for 30 years. He's worth $13.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 'I want to specify that I make no difference between my children: there are those who were conceived naturally and those who come from my sperm donations,' he said in the interview with the French magazine. 'They are all my children and will all have the same rights,' he said. The 40-year-old tycoon is known for his sometimes provocative behaviour, congratulating his 11.1 million subscribers at Easter with a Telegram post where he appeared with a naked torso. He does 300 push-ups in a row followed by 300 squats every morning, avoiding alcohol, coffee and tea, according to the interview. 'I wrote my will very recently,' he said. 'I decided that my children would not have access to my fortune until a period of thirty years has elapsed, starting from today.' With more than 1 billion active users, his Telegram is one of the world's most popular messaging apps. Durov was charged last year by French authorities, who claim he was complicit in allowing crimes to be committed on the Telegram app. He's denied the charges. On Thursday, Durov won a ruling that should allow him to travel more freely to Dubai. Starting July 10, the billionaire will be allowed to travel there for stints as long as two weeks, according to an official from France's justice ministry. The non-public decision was first reported by Le Monde. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Telegram CEO to leave fortune to 100 children he's fathered
Telegram billionaire founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov plans to leave his vast fortune to the more than 100 children he's fathered, according to an interview with France's Le Point magazine. Durov said he's the official father of six children with three different partners. He also started sperm donation fifteen years ago and said more than 100 babies had been conceived that way. He doesn't want his kids to touch his fortune for 30 years. He's worth $13.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo 'I want to specify that I make no difference between my children: there are those who were conceived naturally and those who come from my sperm donations,' he said in the interview with the French magazine. 'They are all my children and will all have the same rights,' he said. The 40-year-old tycoon is known for his sometimes provocative behaviour, congratulating his 11.1 million subscribers at Easter with a Telegram post where he appeared with a naked torso. He does 300 push-ups in a row followed by 300 squats every morning, avoiding alcohol, coffee and tea, according to the interview. Live Events 'I wrote my will very recently,' he said. 'I decided that my children would not have access to my fortune until a period of thirty years has elapsed, starting from today.' Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories With more than 1 billion active users, his Telegram is one of the world's most popular messaging apps. Durov was charged last year by French authorities, who claim he was complicit in allowing crimes to be committed on the Telegram app. He's denied the charges. On Thursday, Durov won a ruling that should allow him to travel more freely to Dubai. Starting July 10, the billionaire will be allowed to travel there for stints as long as two weeks, according to an official from France's justice ministry. The non-public decision was first reported by Le Monde.
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Says He'll Leave Fortune To 100 Children Born Via Sperm Donation
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed plans to divide his nearly $20 billion fortune among 100 children he fathered through sperm donations. According to Durov, this arrangement is detailed in his will, which also includes provisions for his six children with three partners. Durov, known for his conflicts with the Kremlin over free speech issues, was charged last year by French authorities for allegedly allowing illegal activities like sex abuse and drug trafficking on his encrypted messaging platform, charges he denies. The billionaire shared these details in an interview with France's Le Point magazine, explaining that the 100 children were born across 12 countries over the past 15 years through sperm donations. When asked about the role of family in his life, Pavel Durov emphasised its great importance. He recently wrote his will, deciding that his children will not have access to his fortune for 30 years. He wants them to live independently, build their paths, and not rely on inheritance. Durov made it clear that he treats all his children equally-both those conceived naturally and those born via sperm donation-and hopes they will remain united after his passing. Regarding the number of his children, Durov told the news outlet that he is the official father of six children from three different partners. Additionally, through anonymous sperm donations, he began fifteen years ago to help a friend, and more than 100 babies have been conceived across 12 countries, according to the clinic. When asked why he wrote his will at just 40, Durov explained that his work defending freedoms involves risks and creates many enemies, including powerful states. He wants to protect both his children and the company he founded, Telegram, ensuring it always remains true to the values he stands for. On Telegram's future, Durov said a non-profit foundation will take over after him. His goal is to ensure the platform continues independently while upholding privacy and freedom of expression.
