Telegram’s Billionaire CEO Says All 100+ of His Children Will Inherit His Fortune — Eventually

In a rare and revealing interview, Telegram founder Pavel Durov opened up about everything from his family plans to free speech—and even his recent arrest. But it was his disclosure about fathering more than 100 children and how he plans to divide his $14 billion fortune that’s turning heads.

No Favorites: Durov’s Children Will Inherit Equally

Durov, 40, told French magazine Le Point that he’s already written his will—and that he makes no distinction between the six children he’s raised and the many more conceived via anonymous sperm donations across the globe.

“They are all my children and will all have the same rights,” Durov said. “I don’t want them to tear each other apart after my death.”

Durov said he officially has six children from three different partners. But through a sperm clinic he set up, he claims to have fathered more than 100 children in 12 countries.

They’ll Have to Wait for the Billions

While the tech mogul’s heirs may one day inherit his empire, they won’t be touching a dime any time soon.

“I decided that my children would not have access to my fortune until a period of 30 years has elapsed, starting from today,” Durov said. “I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone… not to be dependent on a bank account.”

His goal, he explained, is to raise grounded, independent individuals—not trust fund babies.

Wealth and Risk: Protecting Family and Telegram

Currently worth $13.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Durov said his wealth and work come with real dangers. As the founder of a messaging app known for privacy and encryption, he’s made enemies in some powerful places.

“Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states,” Durov said. “I want to protect my children, but also the company I created.”

He emphasized his desire to ensure Telegram remains true to its founding values, regardless of what the future brings.

Telegram’s Mission: Neutrality and Free Speech

Despite the controversies surrounding it, Durov maintains that Telegram is committed to political neutrality—even when it comes to global flashpoints like the war in Ukraine.

“Telegram is a platform where opposing ideas can clash,” he said. “Where everyone can access different points of view and freely decide what they want to believe.”

He described the platform as a space for “fair access to free and independent information.”

The Paris Arrest: A Shadow on His Legacy

The interview also addressed Durov’s August 2024 arrest in Paris, tied to allegations that Telegram was being used to facilitate drug trafficking and distribution of child sexual abuse material—claims Durov strongly denies.

While details of the case remain limited, the arrest underscores the tightrope Durov walks: balancing free speech and privacy with mounting pressures from law enforcement and governments.

A Radical Vision of Legacy

Durov’s revelations paint a portrait of a man who’s as unconventional in his personal life as he is in his business. Whether or not you agree with his choices, there’s no denying: Pavel Durov is planning for a legacy that spans continents—and generations.