Pavel Durov: 40-year-old Telegram founder to leave Sh2.2 trillion fortune to his 106 children

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has stunned the world with a revelation that he plans to leave his entire fortune, estimated at a staggering KSh 2.199 trillion ($17 billion), to his 106 children.

The 39-year-old billionaire, often dubbed the "Mark Zuckerberg of Russia," known for championing digital privacy and resisting state surveillance, announced that all of his children, both biological and those conceived through anonymous sperm donations in 12 different countries.

According to People, Durov noted that his kids will inherit equally.

"I make no difference between my children," Durov declared. "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."

Durov's wealth, built through Telegram's global rise as an encrypted messaging powerhouse, will be locked in a trust fund until June 19, 2055, 30 years from now.

None of the children, regardless of how they were conceived, will be allowed access to the funds before that date.

His reasoning is as radical as it is reflective: "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 told People.com.

The move, he explained, also stems from the high-stakes nature of his work. As the head of a platform often scrutinised for its unfiltered commitment to free speech, Durov admits he faces unique risks. "I decided to allocate my estate now because my work involves risks."

A minimalist at heart, Durov has renounced Russian citizenship, shuns property ownership, and keeps an incredibly low profile despite his vast wealth.

According to the BBC, this legacy plan is not just about distributing wealth, it's about preserving harmony and instilling values.

"I don't want them to tear each other apart after my death," he said.