Wait, what? Pavel Durov says he has fathered more than 100 children

Written by
Connie Loizos
Published on
Aug. 27, 2024, 6:04 a.m.

Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging platform Telegram, has been in the headlines since his arrest at a private airport near Paris on Saturday, reportedly in connection with an investigation into criminal activity on the his app.

While many stories since have centered on free speech (i.e, should what happens on Telegram stay on Telegram?), others have focused on Durov and his anti-establishment streak. One story stands out in particular — Durov’s claim on Telegram in late July that he has fathered over 100 biological children after donating sperm at a clinic 15 years ago to help a friend have a baby.

He said he then donated even more after being told by the clinic owner that it was his civic duty.

Durov added in this same post that he plans to “open-source” his DNA so these children can find each other . . . and also not marry by accident, presumably. More here .

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