# Tech Billionaire's Shocking Arrest and Unveiling of 100 Children
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Understanding Pavel Durov: A Billionaire's Journey
Let's delve into the life of this remarkable tech billionaire. Pavel Durov, born on October 10, 1984, in Russia, is now 39 years old. His notable accomplishments include founding the social networking site VKontakte (VK) and the messaging application Telegram Messenger, which has earned him the nickname "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg."
In August 2021, Durov became a French citizen and also holds citizenship in the UAE, acquired in April 2021. Telegram, a cloud-based and encrypted messaging service, allows users to send messages, share media, and conduct private and group voice or video calls, among other features. With its headquarters in Dubai, Telegram is particularly popular in Europe, Asia, and Africa, boasting over 950 million monthly active users as of July 2024.
Durov has noted the app's organic growth, stating, "Telegram is among the top 5 most downloaded apps globally. Of these, we are the only one that hasn't spent billions on marketing to drive downloads." His success with Telegram has significantly increased his wealth; he was listed as one of Forbes' billionaires in 2023, ranking 148th globally with an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion.
Durov's personal life is as intriguing as his professional one. Currently unmarried, he has a daughter and son with his former partner Daria Bondarenko, who reside in Barcelona. While the identities of the children remain undisclosed, they are recognized among Russia's wealthiest heirs.
A Self-Described Libertarian
Durov identifies as a libertarian, teetotaler, and vegan, asserting he leads an ascetic lifestyle and champions freedom from personal property constraints. Recently, he shocked followers by revealing he has fathered 100 biological children across 12 countries, despite never marrying.
In a social media post, he recounted how, 15 years ago, a friend requested sperm donation to help them conceive. Initially skeptical, he later signed up as a donor after being informed of the demand for high-quality sperm donations. By 2024, his donations reportedly helped over 100 couples conceive children, with some of his frozen sperm still available for anonymous use by families.
He expressed astonishment at the revelation of his numerous biological children, saying, "How is that possible for someone who has never been married and prefers to live alone?" Durov plans to make his DNA publicly accessible, allowing his biological children to find him and each other, acknowledging the risks involved but emphasizing the growing global shortage of healthy sperm.
Durov's intention to destigmatize sperm donation has sparked discussions about potential inheritance rights for his children, particularly in the context of societal norms around such topics.
The Global Reaction
The news has prompted a mix of reactions online. Some commentators raised concerns about the implications of sibling relationships, fearing that unknowingly related individuals might marry, leading to serious genetic issues. In response, Durov proposed creating a database to prevent such scenarios, though critics noted that not everyone would likely undergo DNA testing.
Elon Musk, never one to shy away from a trending topic, humorously compared Durov's situation to that of Genghis Khan, prompting laughter and jokes about the competition between the two.
The Arrest of Pavel Durov
However, just a month after his remarkable announcement, Durov found himself in serious trouble. On August 24, he was arrested upon arrival at a Paris airport under a French warrant, facing charges related to Telegram's alleged lack of oversight and possible connections to criminal activities, including terrorism and money laundering. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.
This arrest has sent shockwaves throughout the cryptocurrency community, with Durov's lawyer labeling the situation as "absolutely ridiculous." Musk quickly took to social media once again, posting #freepavel and commenting that the planned global reunion of Durov's children would need to be delayed.
In this rapidly evolving story, the implications of Durov's actions and the future of Telegram remain to be seen.