Telegram billionaire founder and CEO Pavel Durov has announced that he is planning to divide his entire fate – more than $ 17 billion is estimated – in more than 100 children, most of which were conceived through sperm donations. In an interview with French magazine Le Point, Durov, 40, said that he is a biological father of at least 106 children. Six of them were naturally conceived with three different partners, and the remaining 100-plus started 15 years ago in 12 countries after anonymous sperm donation.

“I want to specify that I have no difference between my children: there are people who were naturally conceived and who come from my sperm donations,” said Durov. “They are all my children, and everyone will have the same rights!”

According to the Bloomberg Billion Ayers Index and Forbes, Durov’s net worth is between $ 13.9 billion and $ 17.1 billion. It will translate to the heritage of about $ 131 million to $ 161 million per child, depending on current estimates. However, there is a catch. Children will not have access to their shares until 30 years after the interview date – 19 June 2055. Durov reported that this decision is to ensure that they grow up independently.

“I want them to be like ordinary people, to make themselves alone, learn to rely on themselves, to be able to make, not to be dependent on the bank account,” he said.

He revealed that he made these plans while preparing his wish, inspired by the risks involved in his work. This seems to be a reference to the legal challenges he is currently facing in France. In August 2024, Durov was arrested by French officials at Borgate Airport near Paris, after flying from Azerbaijan on his private jet. He is investigating for perceived complexity in enabling illegal activities through Telegram, including hair sexual abuse materials, drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crimes.

The arrest was part of a comprehensive investigation led by France’s Onmin, an agency that focused on dealing with violence against minors. The French magistrates extended their custody for 96 hours to allow further inquiries. After this period, it must either be charged or released. Despite serious allegations, Durov has denied any wrongdoing. He said, “Nothing has been proved that I also tell that I am guilty of anything, even for a second.” He also emphasized his confidence in defending privacy, saying: “Several enemies are earned by defending freedom, including within powerful states.”

Telegram stands firmly behind its CEO. In a statement posted on its social media accounts, the company said: “Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travel often in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owners are responsible for the misuse of that platform.”

The company also clarified that it complies with the rules of the European Union, including the Digital Services Act, and said that its content meets the moderation policies industry standards.

Established in 2013, Telegram is known to refuse to share its strong encryption and user data – even with officials. While the platform has attracted about one billion users worldwide, its privacy-first attitude has also criticized law enforcement agencies. Durov, however, remains defective. He said, “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others, who do not make it the criminals running it,” he told Le Point.