Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Says All His 100+ Children Will Receive Share of His Estate
TL;DR
- Telegram CEO Pavel Durov plans to divide his estate equally among his more than 100 children, including those conceived through sperm donation.
- Durov has written his will and delayed inheritance access for 30 years to encourage his children to build their own lives.
- His estimated net worth is $13.9 billion, mostly tied up in Telegram and early Bitcoin investments.
- Durov emphasizes protecting Telegram’s values amid legal challenges and accusations.
Durov’s Unique Family and Estate Plan
Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, surprised many by revealing that his estate will be shared among his six biological children and more than 100 others conceived through sperm donation.
In an interview with French political magazine Le Point, Durov emphasized equality among his children: “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.”
Durov publicly announced the number of children he fathered last year on social media, explaining that a doctor advised him that donating his “high quality donor material” was a civic duty he fulfilled over 15 years.
Wealth and Inheritance Philosophy
With a net worth estimated by Bloomberg at around $13.9 billion, mostly from Telegram and his early Bitcoin investments, Durov dismissed the figure as “theoretical.” He clarified, “Since I’m not selling Telegram, it doesn’t matter. I don’t have this money in a bank account.”
To encourage independence, Durov stipulated in his will that his children cannot access his fortune for 30 years, saying, “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.”
Protecting Telegram and Values
Living in Dubai, Durov explained that writing his will now was partly driven by the risks his work entails. As a defender of freedom and privacy, he faces opposition from powerful states. He said, “I want to protect my children, but also the company I created, Telegram. I want Telegram to forever remain faithful to the values I defend.”
Telegram, with over a billion monthly active users, is renowned for its encryption and minimal content moderation policies. Despite its popularity, the platform faces scrutiny; Durov was arrested last year in Paris on charges alleging Telegram’s involvement in illicit activities, which he strongly denied as “absurd.”
He asserted, “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn’t make those who run it criminals.”
Pavel Durov & Telegram Overview
| Detail | Information & Sources |
| Number of Children | 6 biological children plus 100+ via sperm donation (CNN) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$13.9 billion, mostly Telegram and Bitcoin investments (Bloomberg) |
| Estate Access Delay | 30 years from date of will to encourage independence |
| Legal Challenges | Arrested in Paris over criminal allegations; denies charges (Le Point) |
| Telegram User Base | 1+ billion monthly active users (Telegram Official) |
Conclusion
Pavel Durov’s announcement about his estate plan highlights his unconventional approach to family and wealth distribution. His insistence on equality among all his children and a long inheritance delay reflects his values around independence and self-reliance.
As Telegram continues to grow globally and face regulatory challenges, Durov’s vision for protecting both his family and company underscores his commitment to privacy and freedom in the digital age.
