In a candid interview with the French magazine Le Point, Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, expressed his intent to distribute his estimated $13.9 billion fortune among the more than 100 children he has fathered. This unconventional approach aims to ensure equitable rights for all his offspring, as Durov stated, “They are all my children and will all have the same rights! I don't want them to tear each other apart after my death.”
While Durov is the "official father" of six children from three different partners, he has also facilitated the birth of over 100 other children through sperm donations to a fertility clinic. The tech mogul emphasized that his children will not access their inheritance for 30 years, cultivating a sense of independence. "I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account," he explained.
The 40-year-old entrepreneur, who has faced serious criminal charges in France related to the moderation of his app, defended himself by describing the allegations as "totally absurd.” Durov was previously arrested last year, accused of failing to properly moderate Telegram, which has drawn scrutiny over its use by criminals. However, he rejects the notion that the app's misuse implicates him or his company in any wrongdoing. He reiterated, “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals.”
Durov's focus on building his children's futures independently stems from the inherent risks associated with his career in technology and freedom advocacy, as he acknowledges that "defending freedoms earns you many enemies."
While Durov is the "official father" of six children from three different partners, he has also facilitated the birth of over 100 other children through sperm donations to a fertility clinic. The tech mogul emphasized that his children will not access their inheritance for 30 years, cultivating a sense of independence. "I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account," he explained.
The 40-year-old entrepreneur, who has faced serious criminal charges in France related to the moderation of his app, defended himself by describing the allegations as "totally absurd.” Durov was previously arrested last year, accused of failing to properly moderate Telegram, which has drawn scrutiny over its use by criminals. However, he rejects the notion that the app's misuse implicates him or his company in any wrongdoing. He reiterated, “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals.”
Durov's focus on building his children's futures independently stems from the inherent risks associated with his career in technology and freedom advocacy, as he acknowledges that "defending freedoms earns you many enemies."
