When arrested Telegram CEO Pavel Durov claimed he has fathered 100 kids

Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder and CEO of Telegram, has recently made headlines not only for his business ventures but for a startling personal revelation. The billionaire, who was detained by French authorities following his arrival at Le Bourget Airport, claimed during his arrest that he has fathered over 100 children. This revelation, alongside his legal troubles, has added another layer of intrigue to the life of one of the most controversial figures in the tech world.

Pavel Durov is a Russian-born entrepreneur known for his innovative contributions to the digital world.Born on October 10, 1984, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Durov is best known for co-founding VKontakte (VK), Russia's largest social networking site, and Telegram, a globally popular messaging app.
Durov’s journey in the tech industry began with the launch of VK in 2006. The platform quickly became Russia's leading social network, drawing comparisons to Facebook for its widespread popularity. However, Durov’s refusal to comply with Russian government demands, particularly concerning censorship and surveillance, led to his ousting from VK in 2014. Following his departure, Durov turned his focus to Telegram, which he had launched in 2013. Telegram distinguished itself with its strong emphasis on privacy, offering features like end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages. These features quickly attracted a massive user base, particularly in regions like Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states.

Telegram’s rapid growth has not been without controversy. The platform’s robust privacy features have made it a preferred tool for individuals and organisations concerned about surveillance. However, these same features have also attracted criminal elements, leading to widespread criticism. As per reports, Telegram has been accused of being a haven for illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the distribution of child exploitation material. The platform’s lack of sufficient moderation has been a focal point of concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
The complaints filed by Telegram users, particularly about the app's failure to moderate content effectively, led to Durov's recent detention in France. This arrest has intensified the spotlight on Durov and the platform he created, raising questions about the responsibilities of tech entrepreneurs in moderating content on their platforms.

Amidst his legal troubles, Pavel Durov made a shocking personal revelation that has captured global attention. In a post on Telegram, Durov claimed that he has fathered over 100 children across 12 countries through sperm donation. This disclosure has added a surprising and personal dimension to the public's perception of the tech mogul.
Durov explained that his journey into fatherhood began 15 years ago when a close friend struggling with infertility asked him to donate sperm. Intrigued by the request, Durov visited a clinic where he was informed that he was considered "top-tier donor material." The clinic suggested that his donations could help couples around the world who were facing similar challenges. Although initially hesitant, Durov was persuaded by the unconventional nature of the proposal and agreed to become a sperm donor.
In his Telegram post, Durov expressed surprise upon learning that he had fathered over 100 children, particularly given his personal lifestyle choices. “I just found out I have over 100 biological kids. How is this possible for someone who has never been married and prefers to live alone?” Durov wrote. This revelation has not only surprised the public but has also led to widespread discussions about the implications of sperm donation and the responsibilities of donors.
Also read | Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's net worth, educational qualifications, family, and other details