A Glimpse Into Pavel Durov’s Private World
Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram, rarely gives interviews—but when he does, the internet listens. In a recent candid conversation with French outlet Le Point, Durov made waves by revealing deeply personal details, ambitious visions for the future of AI, and his unwavering commitment to free speech and digital privacy.
Among the headline-grabbing revelations: he has 106 children, Telegram remains unmonetized for him personally, and his brother Nikolai Durov is developing a revolutionary AI designed to surpass ChatGPT.
The AI Project That Aims to Outthink ChatGPT
One of the most intriguing parts of the interview centered around Nikolai Durov—the reclusive genius behind much of Telegram’s backend. According to Pavel, his brother is now building an “AI that can understand the world”—a next-generation system meant to surpass today’s large language models.
While ChatGPT and similar AIs process massive amounts of text and generate consensus responses, the Durov brothers envision a machine that truly reasons, not just predicts. This project could reshape the artificial intelligence landscape, potentially becoming the first logic-driven AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).
106 Children, One Legacy
Durov’s personal life also took center stage. He shared that beyond his six official children, he is the biological father of over 100 more, born through sperm donation in 12 countries. “I make no distinction between my children,” Durov stated. “Whether conceived naturally or through donation, they all have the same rights.”
This personal philosophy also informs his will, which restricts his children from accessing his wealth for 30 years. The goal? Encourage them to grow up independently, with creativity, self-trust, and no early dependence on a billionaire inheritance.
Telegram: Profitable, But Still Not for Sale
Despite Telegram’s $1.4 billion revenue and $540 million net profit in 2024, Durov claims the messenger doesn’t serve as a source of personal income. Instead, his wealth—estimated by Forbes at $17.1 billion—comes largely from early Bitcoin investments.
Telegram’s meteoric rise from a $343 million revenue in 2023 to $1.4 billion in 2024 underscores the platform’s explosive growth. Much of this revenue stems from ecosystem partnerships, but the messenger’s core values remain intact. Durov confirmed:
- Telegram will never be sold.
- He owns 100% of the company to guarantee independence.
- In the event of his death, Telegram will be managed by a non-profit foundation to preserve its core values.
Health, Habits, and Principles
Durov also gave a peek into his disciplined lifestyle. Every morning begins with 300 squats, and he’s cut out alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and cigarettes completely. His focus is on longevity and mental clarity—fitting for someone managing one of the world’s largest tech platforms.
This extreme self-discipline mirrors his views on privacy and freedom of speech. According to Durov, Telegram’s neutrality and non-alignment with governments are more critical than ever. It’s no surprise that he’s drafted his will as a form of protection—not just for his children, but for the philosophy behind Telegram.
The Genius Behind the Code: Nikolai Durov
Many forget that behind Telegram’s sleek interface lies the work of Nikolai Durov, Pavel’s brother and a mathematical prodigy. From reading at age three to solving complex equations at eight, Nikolai earned his PhD in mathematics and built the core infrastructure of VK and Telegram.
He’s credited with:
- Designing Telegram’s encryption protocol
- Creating its logo and technical architecture
- Now spearheading the AI that may reshape the future
Even Forbes has called him one of the most influential minds in the global tech ecosystem.
Conclusion: A Billionaire’s Vision Rooted in Purpose
Pavel Durov’s interview was more than just a personal exposé—it was a roadmap of legacy, innovation, and values. From building a messaging platform that champions freedom, to raising over a hundred children with equal rights, and developing an AI to challenge the status quo, Durov is redefining what it means to lead in the digital age.
As Telegram continues to grow and his brother’s AI ambitions take shape, the world is watching. Not just to see what comes next—but to understand how values and vision can coexist at the highest levels of power and technology.
