Telegram Founder Plans $17B Fortune Shared Among 106 Children

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, plans to leave his estimated $17 billion fortune equally to his 106 children, which include six biological children and around 100 conceived through sperm donations over the past 15 years. He has stipulated that none of his heirs will have access to the inheritance for 30 years, aiming for them to live independently and not rely on his wealth. Durov emphasizes that all children, regardless of whether they are biological or conceived via donation, have the same rights to his estate. The Telegram founder, known for his privacy-focused messaging platform with over a billion users, currently lives in Dubai following legal challenges in France and conflicts with Russian authorities. His fortune includes significant cryptocurrency holdings, notably in The Open Network blockchain project, though details of how these assets will be managed among his heirs remain unclear. Durov's announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Telegram's role in global conflicts and extremist activities, highlighting his complex legacy in technology and privacy.