The Unconventional Inheritance Plan
That’s because the 40-year-old Telegram founder has six children with three different partners but has also been donating to a sperm clinic for 15 years. The clinic informed him that his donations have helped conceive over 100 babies across 12 countries. Now, all of them—whether they know him or not—have been included in Durov’s $13.9 billion will.
“I wrote my will very recently,” Durov told French publication Le Point in a recent interview. “I make no difference between my children: there are those who were conceived naturally and those who come from my sperm donations. 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.”
This means his at least 106 children could each receive around $132 million simply for being related to the Russian-born entrepreneur. However, they’ll have to wait before accessing their fortunes.
“I decided that my children would not have access to my fortune until a period of thirty years has elapsed, starting from today,” Durov continued. “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.”
How Will the Children Know?
The question remains: Do these children even know they’re set to inherit millions? According to Give Legacy, a sperm and fertility clinic, it depends on whether Durov was a “directed donor” (known to the birth parent) or an “anonymous donor” (subject to stricter privacy regulations).
“Identity verification is reasonably straightforward. Paternity tests can confirm that Pavel is the father,” says Khaled Kteily, CEO of Give Legacy. “Anyone who believes that Pavel is their biological father could submit a sample to verify. Depending on each country’s laws as well as relationships with the birth mother, the child could already be made aware.”
Who Is Pavel Durov?
Russian-born Durov founded Telegram in 2013 as a messaging app designed to resist government censorship. His commitment to free speech forced him to flee Russia in 2014 after refusing to shut down opposition communities on VKontakte, another platform he created. Since then, he has focused entirely on building Telegram into a global communications giant.
However, Telegram’s hands-off approach to moderation has led to significant controversies. While the platform champions free expression, critics argue that its lack of oversight has allowed harmful content to flourish.
Legal Troubles and Controversies
In August 2024, Durov was placed under formal investigation in France. Prosecutors accused him of complicity in enabling organized crime through Telegram, including illicit financial transactions and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Indicted on six charges, he was initially barred from leaving France but was later permitted to relocate to Dubai, where he holds dual citizenship and operates Telegram.
Durov’s lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, called the accusations “absurd,” arguing that his client had no direct or indirect involvement in the alleged criminal activities.
Telegram has also faced criticism for allegedly facilitating the spread of disinformation, extremist ideologies, and illegal content. A spokesperson for Telegram pointed to a recent social media post from Durov denying claims that the platform ignores child exploitation. They also provided a statement to Fortune:
“Telegram is not an effective platform for the spread of extremist propaganda or misinformation because it does not use algorithms to promote sensationalist materials to unwitting users. Telegram has removed over 118,000 terrorist-related groups and communities in the first half of 2025 as part of its proactive efforts and partnership with the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideologies (Etidal).”
How Other Billionaires Handle Inheritance
Durov’s inheritance plan stands in stark contrast to those of other ultra-wealthy individuals. Many tech billionaires and business leaders have opted to leave minimal amounts to their children, preferring philanthropy or other wealth distribution methods.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, worth $176 billion, has stated that his children will receive less than 1% of his fortune.
“My kids got a great upbringing and education, but less than 1% of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favor to them,” Gates said on the Figuring Out With Raj Shamani podcast earlier this year. “It’s not a dynasty, I’m not asking them to run Microsoft. I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success.”
Similarly, Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has focused on philanthropic efforts rather than passing down vast sums to her children. Celebrity chef Guy Fieri has also expressed a desire for his kids to earn their own success rather than rely on inherited wealth.
The Future of Durov’s Fortune
With over 100 potential heirs, Durov’s estate could become one of the most complex inheritance cases in history. Legal battles, paternity claims, and international laws may complicate the distribution process. Additionally, the 30-year waiting period means that none of his children will receive their inheritance before 2055—by which time the fortune could grow significantly or face unforeseen challenges.
For now, the story of Pavel Durov’s unconventional family and his unprecedented inheritance plan continues to captivate the public. Whether his children grow up knowing about their future wealth or discover it later in life, one thing is certain: they’re set for a financial windfall unlike any other.
