In a revelation that has captivated global audiences, Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of the Telegram messaging platform, has disclosed that he is the biological father to more than 100 children scattered across the world. This extraordinary personal detail emerged from his interviews with French media earlier this year and a subsequent discussion with the Wall Street Journal.
The Genesis of a Global Family
Durov explained that the majority of these children were conceived through his sperm donations. He began this journey at a relatively young age after medical professionals informed him he possessed "excellent genetic material." Motivated by a desire to assist couples struggling with infertility, he saw his donations as a form of social contribution. For Durov, this has never been a secret to conceal; rather, he views it as a meaningful act of helping others build families.
Financial Support and Future Inheritance
Taking his commitment a significant step further, the tech mogul stated in his recent Wall Street Journal interview that he is offering to pay for the IVF costs for any woman under the age of 38 who wishes to use his sperm. Beyond supporting conception, Durov has made a striking declaration regarding the future of these children: they are set to inherit his wealth. He frames this entire endeavor as a personal mission to combat infertility on a broader scale.
Transparency, Ethics, and a Nomadic Life
Durov advocates for transparency in this unconventional family structure. He believes that, where laws allow, all the children should be aware of their biological origins. However, his practice has inevitably sparked a debate, with some observers raising profound moral and ethical questions about such widespread donation and the implications of creating so many half-siblings.
This revelation reinforces the public image of Pavel Durov as a figure who consistently defies convention. Known for his nomadic and minimalist lifestyle and for rejecting lucrative corporate buyouts for Telegram, his story of fathering over 100 children cements his reputation as a man who refuses to conform to societal or technological norms, challenging predefined boxes in both life and business.
