The Billionaire’s Bombshell: Telegram’s Pavel Durov to Divide $17 Billion Among 106 Children

In a world where tech titans dominate headlines, few stories grip the imagination like that of Pavel Durov, the enigmatic co-founder of Telegram. At just 40 years old, with a fortune pegged at $17.1 billion by Forbes, Durov has unleashed a revelation that’s equal parts audacious and bewildering: he plans to divide his colossal estate among at least 106 children. Yes, you read that right—106. In an exclusive interview with French outlet Le Point on June 19, 2025, Durov laid bare his unconventional legacy, citing the “risks” of his work as the catalyst for this extraordinary decision. Buckle up—this tale of wealth, fatherhood, and defiance is a rollercoaster that’ll keep you glued to the page.

Pavel Durov isn’t your typical billionaire. While most moguls flaunt private jets or sprawling estates, Durov’s legacy is rooted in something far more personal—and far more controversial. He’s the “official father” to six children, conceived naturally with three different women. But that’s just the beginning. Durov revealed he’s also a sperm donor, responsible for over 100 children across 12 countries. What started as a favor to help a friend struggling with infertility has spiraled into a sprawling, global brood. “I want to specify that I make no difference between my children,” Durov told Le Point. “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!”

This egalitarian stance is as bold as it is unprecedented. Each child could inherit roughly $160 million, assuming the fortune is split evenly and no new heirs emerge. But here’s the catch: Durov’s donations were anonymous, meaning more children could surface, potentially reshaping the inheritance landscape. The sheer logistics of tracking 106-plus heirs across continents is a saga in itself, raising questions about how this fortune will be managed. Will Durov’s estate become a modern-day dynasty or a chaotic puzzle for future generations to unravel?

Durov’s plan isn’t just about numbers—it’s about philosophy. In a move that’s both principled and provocative, he’s decreed that none of his children will touch their inheritance until June 19, 2055—30 years from the date of his Le Point interview. Why the long wait? Durov wants his heirs to carve their own paths, free from the shadow of his wealth. “I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account,” he explained.

This decision has sparked fierce debate. Some see it as a noble attempt to instill grit and independence in his children, ensuring they don’t coast through life on a silver spoon. Others view it as a risky gamble, leaving a generation of heirs in limbo, potentially fueling resentment or legal battles. Imagine being one of Durov’s children, knowing a fortune awaits but unable to access it for decades. It’s a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, blending paternal idealism with the cold reality of a $17 billion empire.

Durov’s decision to plan his estate now isn’t born of whimsy—it’s a calculated response to the dangers he faces. As the mastermind behind Telegram, a messaging app launched in 2013, Durov has built a platform celebrated for its ironclad encryption and privacy features. With over 900 million users, Telegram is a haven for dissidents, activists, and anyone craving unfiltered communication. But its very strengths have made it a lightning rod for controversy.

In August 2024, Durov’s world was rocked when French authorities arrested him at a Paris airport. The charges? Alleged complicity in running a platform that enables illegal activities, including child sex abuse material, drug trafficking, and fraud, according to The New York Times and NBC News. Images of Durov striding into a Paris courthouse, cool and unshaken, only amplified his enigmatic aura. He’s since been released but remains under investigation, required to stay in France and report to police twice weekly. “Nothing has ever been proven showing that I am, even for a second, guilty of anything,” he told Le Point, his voice laced with defiance. “Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states.”

Telegram has long been a thorn in the side of governments worldwide. Its encryption makes it a go-to for those seeking privacy, but critics argue it’s also a playground for criminals. The app’s decentralized structure complicates content moderation, despite Telegram’s claims of using advanced techniques to curb illicit activity. Durov, a self-styled champion of free speech, sees himself as a warrior in a digital battleground. But with legal clouds looming, his fortune—and his children’s future—hangs in a delicate balance. Could authorities seize his assets? Could his empire crumble before his heirs ever see their share? The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Durov’s story feels ripped from the pages of a thriller novel. He’s a tech visionary, a fugitive of sorts, and now, a father to a global legion of heirs. His life echoes the controversial tale of Jonathan Meijer, the serial sperm donor profiled in Netflix’s The Man With 1000 Children, whose reckless donations led to ethical firestorms. Yet Durov’s narrative is uniquely his own, blending billionaire bravado with a quixotic quest to redefine family and legacy. His 106 children, scattered across the globe, represent a new kind of dynasty—one born not of tradition but of choice, risk, and a touch of rebellion.

The parallels to other headline-grabbing stories are uncanny. Just as Meijer’s tale raised questions about the ethics of sperm donation, Durov’s saga invites scrutiny of his motives. Is he a philanthropist seeking to spread his wealth, or a man hedging against the chaos of his high-stakes career? And what of his children, some of whom may never know their father’s identity until they claim their inheritance? The human drama here is as compelling as the financial one, promising decades of intrigue as this story unfolds.

As Durov navigates his legal battles and Telegram’s turbulent future, the world is left to ponder the legacy of a man who thrives on defying norms. His decision to split his fortune among 106 children is a bold gambit, one that could redefine wealth, family, and responsibility in the digital age. But it’s also a gamble fraught with unknowns. Will his children embrace his vision of self-reliance, or will they resent the long wait for their windfall? Will Telegram survive the scrutiny of global regulators, or will Durov’s empire face a reckoning?

For now, Pavel Durov remains a figure of fascination—a tech maverick, a father of multitudes, and a lightning rod for controversy. His story is a tapestry of ambition, risk, and unyielding principle, woven with threads of mystery that keep us hooked. What’s next for the Telegram tycoon and his sprawling brood? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this is one saga you won’t want to miss.