A Billion-Dollar Legacy: Telegram's Pavel Durov Will Share His Fortune with Over 100 Children

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has made headlines by declaring his intention to share his vast fortune of $13.9 billion (£10.3 billion) among the over 100 children he has fathered. In an interview with Le Point, Durov shared that while he is the official father of six children from three different partners, he learned that his sperm donations over the past fifteen years have led to the conception of more than 100 additional children across 12 countries.

Durov emphasized the importance of equal rights for all his children to prevent any disputes over his wealth after his death, stating “They are all my children and will all have the same rights!” In a unique twist, he plans to delay their access to the inheritance for 30 years, wanting them to grow up as normal people who can independently establish themselves without relying on his wealth. “I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone…to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account,” he explained.

The 40-year-old entrepreneur expressed the urgency of writing his will, citing the risks associated with his work advocating for freedom of speech, which has made him enemies, including powerful states.

In addition to discussing his family, Durov addressed his current legal troubles in France. He has been accused of failing to properly moderate Telegram and prevent criminal activities like drug trafficking and child abuse content. Durov vehemently denies any wrongdoing, labeling the allegations as “totally absurd” and insisting that just because criminals use his platform does not make him complicit in their actions. He highlighted the measures Telegram has taken since 2018 to combat child abuse, including the use of advanced moderation techniques and transparency reports.

Although Telegram is immensely popular, boasting over a billion monthly active users, it has faced scrutiny for its moderation policies, particularly concerning extremist content and misinformation. Durov has defended his app’s efforts, stating it actively works to remove harmful content while maintaining that its moderation is as effective as, or better than, other social platforms. Cybersecurity experts have pointed out that Telegram’s moderation could be stronger, especially in light of its involvement in recent violent events linked to extremist groups. Durov’s commitment to both his children and the ethical challenges surrounding his platform continues to provoke discussion about wealth, responsibility, and the complexities of social media regulation.