The 39-year-old founder of Telegram and self-proclaimed digital nomad, Pavel Durov, has made headlines with a startling revelation.
The billionaire and social media owner is known for his unconventional lifestyle and outspoken nature.
Now he claims to have fathered more than 100 children through sperm donation over the past 15 years.
According to Der Spiegel, Durov’s journey as a sperm donor began about 15 years ago when he helped a couple of friends facing fertility issues.
Impressed by his donation, the clinic’s head urged him to continue, citing a shortage of “high-quality donor material.”
Taking this to heart, Durov now claims to have helped fulfill the wish for children in over a hundred cases across twelve countries.
To facilitate future connections among his many half-siblings, Durov announced plans to publish his DNA.
“Of course, there are risks, but I do not regret being a donor. The lack of healthy sperm has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide, and I am proud that I have done my part to alleviate it,” he wrote on his Telegram channel.
A Controversial Figure
Durov’s life and work have often been subject to controversy.
Born in Russia, he has been living in exile since 2014 and holds multiple citizenships, including French and that of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean.
Known for his eccentric and bold public persona, Durov frequently posts shirtless photos and motivational messages on social media.
Founded in 2013 with his brother Nikolai, Telegram is known for its commitment to privacy and freedom of speech, which has made it a haven for a wide range of users, including extremists and criminals. This has led to criticism and controversy surrounding the platform.
Durov has rarely given interviews but has been outspoken about his experiences.
In a recent interview with right-wing US commentator Tucker Carlson, he discussed his failed attempt to establish Telegram in Berlin due to bureaucratic hurdles, leading to the company’s relocation to Dubai, a move he attributed to favorable tax conditions.