Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Says Over 100 Children Will Inherit His $13.9bn Fortune

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed that his estimated $13.9 billion fortune will be shared equally among more than 100 children he has fathered.

Speaking to French political magazine Le Point, Durov said: “They are all my children and will all have the same rights! I don’t want them to tear each other apart after my death.”

The 40-year-old tech billionaire confirmed he is the official father of six children with three different women, but added that he has over 100 biological children as a result of sperm donations made to fertility clinics.

Despite his massive wealth, Durov said his children will not have access to their inheritance for 30 years. “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.

He added that the decision to write a will now was prompted by the risks associated with his work. “Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states,” he said.

Telegram, the encrypted messaging app Durov created, now boasts over a billion monthly active users and is known for its strong stance on privacy.

Durov also addressed the criminal charges he currently faces in France, where he was arrested last year. Authorities have accused him of failing to properly moderate Telegram’s content to prevent its misuse in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud.

He strongly denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “totally absurd.”

“Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn’t make those who run it criminals,” he said.

Telegram has previously rejected claims that it lacks adequate moderation and maintains it works with law enforcement within legal limits.