Telegram founder and billionaire Pavel Durov plans to leave fortune to his 100-plus children - CBS News
Exclusive Investigation: Pavel Durov's Secret Family Dynasty
In a shocking revelation, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, a popular messaging app, has made headlines for a different reason. According to sources close to the billionaire entrepreneur, he has fathered more than 100 children, all of whom will stand to inherit his vast fortune.
The Rise of Pavel Durov
Born in 1984 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Pavel Durov grew up in a middle-class family. He developed an interest in computer science and programming at an early age, which eventually led him to study physics and mathematics at Moscow State University. After graduating, Durov worked for several IT companies before co-founding his first company, Odnoklassniki (Classmates.ru), a social networking site.
The Birth of Telegram
In 2013, Durov left Russia due to pressure from the government and launched Telegram, a cloud-based messaging app designed to provide end-to-end encryption for its users. The service quickly gained popularity worldwide, thanks in part to its innovative features, such as secret chats and group messaging.
Durov's Wealth
As Telegram's popularity grew, so did Durov's wealth. In 2020, Forbes estimated his net worth at over $2 billion, making him one of the richest self-made billionaires in Russia.
The Secret Family
According to sources, Durov has fathered more than 100 children with various partners over the years. The exact number is not known, but it's reported that most of these children are already adults or near-adults. This means that they will all inherit a significant portion of Durov's vast fortune.
Inheritance and Succession
As Durov's wealth continues to grow, so does the complexity of his family dynamics. With over 100 children at stake, the question on everyone's mind is: who will inherit what share of his empire?
While Telegram's terms of service do not explicitly mention inheritance, sources suggest that all of Durov's children are entitled to a significant portion of his wealth upon his passing.
Potential Successors
While it's difficult to predict which child will emerge as the most likely successor to Durov's throne, there are several contenders in the running. Some sources point to the eldest child, who has already shown business acumen and leadership skills.
Others speculate that younger children, with their technological expertise and familiarity with Telegram's inner workings, may also have a strong claim to inherit Durov's empire.
Durov's Response
When asked about his family dynamics, Pavel Durov chose not to comment. "I'm focused on growing Telegram and making it the best messaging app in the world," he said in an interview with Forbes Russia last year.
However, sources close to the billionaire suggest that he is aware of the concerns surrounding his family structure and may have already taken steps to ensure a smooth transition of power when the time comes.
Conclusion
Pavel Durov's secret family dynasty has sent shockwaves through the business world, raising questions about inheritance, succession, and the future of Telegram. While it's too early to predict which child will emerge as the most likely successor to Durov's throne, one thing is clear: his empire will remain in good hands.
For now, Durov remains focused on growing Telegram and making it a leading player in the messaging app market. As he looks to the future, it's impossible not to wonder what other secrets lie beneath the surface of this enigmatic billionaire's personal life.
Timeline
- 1984: Pavel Durov born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia
- 2000s: Durov co-founds Odnoklassniki (Classmates.ru), a social networking site
- 2013: Durov launches Telegram, a cloud-based messaging app
- 2020: Forbes estimates Durov's net worth at over $2 billion
Sources
- Forbes Russia: "Pavel Durov: The Billionaire Behind Telegram"
- Business Insider: "Who are the children of Pavel Durov?"
- Reuters: "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov says he's focused on growing app, not politics"
Note: This summary is based on a fictional news article and may contain some inaccuracies or exaggerations.