Telegram founder divides his $17B fortune among his 106 kids

Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov has revealed he’s dividing his $17.1 billion fortune among at least 106 children he claims as his own — including over 100 born through sperm donation.

In a recent interview with French outlet Le Point, the 40-year-old tech billionaire said he has six children from natural conception and has anonymously donated sperm resulting in over 100 children across 12 countries. “I make no distinction between them,” he said.

“They are all my children and will all have the same rights.” Durov noted that the children won’t access their inheritances until June 19, 2055 — 30 years from the date of the interview.

“I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone… not to be dependent on a bank account,” he explained. He said the decision to arrange his estate now stems from the risks involved in his work.

Telegram, known for its encrypted messaging, has faced scrutiny from law enforcement for allegedly hosting illegal content.

In August 2024, French prosecutors charged Durov with complicity in enabling a platform where crimes like child ab¥se, dr¥g tr+fficking, and fra¥d could flourish.

He denied all wrongdoing: “Nothing has ever been proven showing that I am, even for a second, guilty of anything,” he told Le Point. “Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states,” he added.