I feel like what Pavel Durov just announced is fairly unexpected he intends to distribute his entire $17 bil net worth to his 106 kids, though, none of them will see a single dollar until 30 years from now. It feels emotional, maybe a bit crazy, but oddly compassionate all at the same time.
What’s actually happening—and why it’s gut-wrenching
This is not a billion-dollar flex. Durov built Telegram on ideals related to privacy and free speech—the kind of stuff you care about when you’re anti-censorship. So when he tells his six biological kids and over 100 kids created through sperm donations in 12 countries that they will share everything equally, but not until 2055, it feels, to me anyway, very personal commitment. It says he wants his kids to grow up tough and independent, and not surfing on a trust fund.
I think that's kind of lovely. You know, most inheritance stories are cold, sterile. But this one is alive—complicated logistics, cultural differences, ethics, and surprises. It's not just about the money. It's about legacy, decisions, and his view of responsibility.
Suspenseful Plan: Why the 30-Year Freeze?
Here's the thing—30 years is a long time. Adulthood, careers, families, losses, growth... all this will happen before any of them see a penny. Durov insists that he wants them to "live like normal people," start from nothing, and cultivate trust in themselves—not banks or inherited wealth. Pretty wild. I mean, can you imagine finding out at 40 you have a share of $17 billion?
- It conveys a message: Be courageous. Be wise. Don't rely on money.
- Sets a cultural tone: that all the kids are equal, no favorites, no hierarchy.
- Human twist: Kids born in 12 different countries—from Europe to Asia, now united by blood and billions.
It feels like a real-life social experiment. I also wonder: What is the emotional impact? Do they feel cheated? Do they feel empowered? Will they find out late? Will they grow up knowing their dad has this level of generosity? It is complicated - and honestly, moving.
Legal Drama and French Travel Restrictions
Durov is also feeling outside pressures. Since his arrest in Paris airport, he is under judicial control in France. He is facing instances of serious offense - aiding and abetting illegal content on Telegram - charges he denies and calls "preposterous." Durov told me in our late night Zoom call that being placed in solitary confinement was an attempt to transmit a message - "I am confused." There is no guilty verdict yet, but the importance of the situation is real.
At that point, he finally got the go ahead to leave France as of July 10th - but with conditions! He can only leave for 14 day periods, and only to Dubai where Telegram's offices and where his family are. Travel to the U.S.? Forget it. So it seems like he is half prisoner, half family man, and half tech mythology. That feeling of tension is in the inheritance too - it feels like his will is trying to shield the kids from future shock or unavoidable legal battles.
🗣️ Reactions online (real voices)
Check out what Durov himself shared in French: My first attempt at recording a video in French (at the request of @LePoint). Forgive my French!
🎥 My first attempt at recording a video in French (at the request of @LePoint 🇫🇷). Forgive my French! 😉 pic.twitter.com/mzdYbDwGSu
— Pavel Durov (@durov) June 18, 2025
Why It Actually Matters to You and Me
It's more than a flashy billionaires scheme. It's a story about identity, equality, privacy... it's everything you want it to be. It addresses:
- Modern fatherhood: choice vs biological, anonymous but with impact.
- Ethical tech: even Telegram's CEO is thinking about how money & influence shape lives.
- Legal ambiguity: living under scrutiny, while contemplating intentions 30 years out.
And it's topical — this discourse occurred immediately after he announced a challenge to free speech in France. He's advising society not to wait, not to get crushed by pressure. Perhaps this inheritance is his last manifesto.
So this isn't just a news story. It's a messy, emotional, thought-provoking look at how money, choice, obligation, and identity can be intertwined in the life of an individual who also happens to be prominent and public. It's human. It's dangerous. And in a world of cold headlines, it's a moment to think.
