Pavel Durov Has $17 Billion, 100+ Kids — And Now Wants More Women to Carry His DNA
When tech billionaires speak, markets listen. When they tweet, headlines follow. But when a billionaire offers his own sperm—and full IVF funding—to women around the world, the internet doesn’t just listen; it explodes.
Pavel Durov, the elusive and outspoken founder of Telegram, has once again positioned himself at the center of global controversy. This time, not over free speech, censorship, or clashes with governments—but over reproduction, genetics, ethics, and legacy.
The 41-year-old tech mogul, whose net worth is estimated at over $17 billion, has publicly declared his willingness to fully fund IVF treatments for women under 38 who choose to conceive using his sperm. According to Durov, this is not a publicity stunt, fetish, or eccentric billionaire fantasy—but what he describes as a “civic duty” in an era of declining male fertility worldwide.
The revelation has sparked intense debate across social media, medical communities, religious circles, and feminist spaces. Is this philanthropy? Ego? Genetic vanity? Or a radical response to a genuine global health crisis?
From Coding Prodigy to Controversial “Super Donor”
Pavel Durov is no stranger to disruption. Often referred to as “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg”, he founded VKontakte (VK), Russia’s largest social media platform, before leaving the country amid clashes with authorities over censorship and user privacy. He later created Telegram, now one of the world’s most influential messaging platforms, boasting over 900 million users globally.
But while Durov’s public image has long been tied to digital freedom and anti-establishment ideals, his latest disclosure reveals a far more personal—and biological—legacy.
Durov says he began donating sperm in 2010, initially to help a close friend struggling with infertility. What started as a private favor soon evolved into a long-term commitment after fertility specialists reportedly warned him about a shortage of high-quality donor sperm, particularly from healthy, educated men with no genetic disorders.
Over the years, Durov claims his donations have resulted in more than 100 children across at least 12 countries, in addition to six children he has fathered naturally with three different partners.
“All My Children Are Equal” — And All Will Inherit
One of the most controversial aspects of Durov’s revelation is not the sperm donation itself, but what comes after.
In interviews, the Telegram founder has stated unequivocally that he makes no distinction between children conceived naturally and those born via sperm donation. According to him, all of his biological children will have equal inheritance rights, provided they can establish a DNA match.
This declaration alone has fueled global debate.
Legal experts have raised questions about estate management, inheritance law across jurisdictions, and the practical implications of potentially hundreds of heirs. Ethicists have questioned the psychological and social consequences for children who may one day discover they are part of an unusually large genetic network linked to a single individual.
Durov, however, appears unfazed. He has even announced plans to make his DNA information accessible in the future, allowing his biological children to find and connect with one another if they choose.
The IVF Offer That Set the Internet on Fire
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing detail is Durov’s willingness to pay the full cost of IVF for eligible women who choose to conceive using his sperm.
According to reports, his sperm was previously advertised for free at reputable fertility clinics, including Altravita Clinic in Moscow, where samples remain legally stored. While Durov no longer donates new samples, existing ones are still available under strict medical, legal, and ethical regulations.
Eligibility reportedly includes:
Women 37 years old or younger
Comprehensive medical and psychological screening
Compliance with local fertility laws
Acceptance of legal terms limiting future claims beyond inheritance provisions
By offering to cover IVF costs—often ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 per cycle—Durov has effectively removed one of the biggest barriers to assisted reproduction, particularly for single women and couples without access to affordable fertility care.
A Billionaire’s Response to a Global Fertility Crisis
Durov has framed his actions within a broader global concern: declining sperm counts.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies over the past two decades have documented a dramatic drop in male fertility, particularly in Western and industrialized nations. Researchers have linked this decline to factors such as:
Plastic pollution and microplastics
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Poor diet and sedentary lifestyles
Environmental toxins
Chronic stress
Durov has repeatedly pointed to plastic exposure as a key culprit, arguing that modern society is sleepwalking into a fertility crisis while governments and corporations do little to address the root causes.
In his view, normalizing sperm donation—and increasing access to it—is part of a broader solution.
Praise, Backlash, and Ethical Landmines
Unsurprisingly, reactions have been polarized.
Supporters argue that:
Durov is addressing a real and under-discussed health crisis
He is expanding reproductive choice for women
His transparency sets a new ethical standard for donors
His financial backing reduces inequality in fertility access
Critics, however, warn that:
Concentrating genetic influence in one individual raises risks
Children may face identity and psychological challenges
The offer could subtly exploit economic vulnerability
It blurs the line between altruism and ego
Some feminist commentators have accused Durov of “biological imperialism,” while others defend women’s autonomy to choose their reproductive paths without moral policing.
Legacy Beyond Code and Crypto
Whether seen as visionary or controversial, one thing is undeniable: Pavel Durov is attempting to redefine what legacy means in the 21st century.
For most billionaires, legacy is measured in foundations, skyscrapers, or company valuations. For Durov, it appears to be biological, ideological, and deeply personal.
In an age where technology increasingly mediates human connection, Durov’s actions raise uncomfortable but necessary questions:
Who controls reproduction in the future?
How do wealth and power shape genetic outcomes?
Can radical transparency coexist with ethical responsibility?
As debates rage on, one reality remains: Pavel Durov has once again forced the world to talk—this time not about messages, but about life itself.
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