Telegram Founder Durov to Equally Divide $14 Billion Among 100 Children

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has announced that his over 100 children will inherit his fortune, which is currently valued at nearly $14 billion. This includes the six children he has with three different partners, as well as at least 100 others conceived through his sperm bank donations across 12 countries. Each child is set to inherit approximately $132 million, although they will not have access to the funds until 30 years from now. Durov's decision to treat all his children equally, regardless of their conception method, is a significant departure from other billionaires who have chosen to leave a smaller portion of their wealth to their offspring.

Durov, who is 40 years old, has been donating to a sperm clinic for 15 years. He recently revealed that he has helped conceive over 100 babies. In an interview with a French publication, Durov stated that he wrote his will very recently and made no distinction between his children, whether they were conceived naturally or through sperm donations. He expressed his desire for his children to live normal lives, build themselves up independently, and learn to trust themselves, rather than relying on their inheritance.

Durov's decision to include all his children in his will, regardless of whether they know him or not, is a unique approach to wealth distribution. The sperm and fertility clinic, Give Legacy, explained that the children's awareness of their biological father and potential inheritance depends on whether Durov was a "directed donor" or an "anonymous donor." Paternity tests can confirm Durov's paternity, and the children's knowledge of their inheritance may vary based on each country's laws and their relationship with the birth mother.

Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur, founded Telegram in 2013 as a messaging app that prioritizes free speech and is divorced from government-requested censorship. However, his platform has faced criticism for allowing disinformation, extremism, and illicit activities to spread. In 2024, Durov was placed under formal investigation in France for allegations of complicity in organized crime and the distribution of sexual images of children on Telegram. He was later authorized to move to Dubai, where he holds dual citizenship and runs his platform.

Durov's approach to wealth distribution stands in contrast to other billionaires who have chosen to leave a smaller portion of their wealth to their children. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, for example, plans to leave less than 1% of his fortune to his children, stating that it would not be a favor to them. Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, who was married to late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, also plans to leave her $14.1 billion estate to her children. Guy Fieri, one of the wealthiest hosts in food TV history, has stated that his children will not receive any of his wealth unless they work for it.