Telegram's Pavel Durov Confirms Inheritance Plan for 100+ Children Who Will 'Have the Same Rights'

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Telegram’s Pavel Durov Confirms Inheritance Plan for 100+ Children
Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram messaging app, arrives at the Paris courthouse for a hearing, in Paris on December 6, 2024. THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has confirmed he will leave his entire $13.9 billion fortune to his more than 100 children—but they won't receive it for another 30 years.

In an interview with French magazine Le Point, Durov explained that he recently wrote his will. The 40-year-old billionaire said the delay in inheritance is intentional.

"I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves," Durov said. "Not to be dependent on a bank account."

Pavel Durov, originally from Russia and now living in self-exile, recently shared that he is the father of six children with three different partners.

But he also said he has fathered over 100 additional children through sperm donation, which he began 15 years ago to help a friend, CBS News said.

The clinic reported that more than 100 babies have been born from his donations, spanning 12 different countries.

"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."

If his estimated net worth were divided equally among 106 children, each would inherit about $131 million.

Telegram's Durov Denies Criminal Charges in France

Telegram, the messaging platform created by Durov, now serves over a billion users around the world. It is popular for its privacy features and encrypted chats, though it has also been criticized by some governments.

In France, Durov faces legal trouble. He has been accused of failing to stop criminal activity on Telegram, including drug trafficking and the spread of child sexual abuse material.

According to the BBC, French authorities have criticized Durov for failing to adequately moderate content on the Telegram platform. Durov strongly denied these charges, calling them "totally absurd."

"Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals," he told sources.

Durov also shared details about his personal lifestyle. He sticks to a strict daily workout of 300 push-ups and 300 squats. He said he does not drink alcohol, coffee, or tea, avoids sugar, and doesn't smoke.

He said he drafted his will now because he knows his role in defending online privacy can be risky. "Defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states," he said.

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