"20 trillion won symbol" Telegram founder raises questions with inheritance declaration

Legacy of the Digital Empire - The Questions Raised by Pavel Durov's Inheritance Declaration

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram and one of the representative technology entrepreneurs of the 21st century, recently revealed an inheritance plan that has astonished the world. He stated his intention to evenly distribute his wealth, estimated at around 23 trillion won, not only to his biological children but also to over 100 children born through sperm donation. Notably, the condition that all children will not be able to receive their inheritance until they turn 30 has also garnered attention. This decision challenges the existing paradigms of wealth distribution and raises new questions about the concepts of family, responsibility, and ethical legacy planning. This essay aims to analyze the philosophical and social implications of Pavel Durov's announcement and explore how 'family' and 'inheritance' are being redefined in contemporary society.

Durov's Declaration - Summary of Facts

In June 2025, in an interview with the French media Le Point, Pavel Durov stated that he would inherit his assets, approximately $17 billion, or about 23 trillion won, equally among all his children. Here, 'all children' does not simply refer to those born from a legal spouse. As far as is known, Durov has six biological children from relationships with three women, and there are more than 100 children born through sperm donation in 12 countries around the world. He recognizes all of them as 'equal children who inherit his genes' and has expressed his intention to grant them the same inheritance rights. The timing of the inheritance is also unusual. Durov has set the condition that no child can receive their inheritance until they reach the age of 30. He explained that this is to ensure that his children have the opportunity to become independent without relying on the inheritance. The inheritance timing is specifically stated to be after June 19, 2055, which is the day Durov himself turns 70. The conditions he has set reflect a decision that goes beyond simple asset distribution, embodying educational and ethical intentions.

Philosophy of Wealth Distribution - Equality, Independence, Long-term Vision

Durov stated in an interview, “Whether born through natural conception or through sperm donation, all are my children who inherit my genes and deserve equal rights.” This shows that he has established a philosophy of inheritance from the perspective of genetic connection and universal equality, moving away from traditional family-centered concepts of inheritance. He also believes that the true role of a parent is not to secure their children's lives through inheritance, but rather to provide opportunities for them to carve out their own lives. In particular, the restriction on receiving inheritance until the age of 30 is designed to ensure that children experience sufficient social interactions and form their identities before being influenced by wealth. This is interpreted as reflecting the philosophy that “wealth is a reward for growth, not a privilege at the starting line.” He expressed his hope that his children would “live without relying on a bank account,” clearly recognizing inheritance as a tool for training autonomy and responsibility. This idea is a reaction against the prevalent trends of early inheritance and excessive support in modern society, representing an innovative attempt to transform wealth into an educational means.

Expansion of Reproduction and Evolution of the Concept of Family

The most controversial aspect is that Durov included children born through sperm donation as heirs. Typically, only children born in families formed under legal and social protection are recognized as having inheritance rights. However, Durov regards genetic connectedness as the "essence of paternity" and asserts that he will recognize children as such regardless of legal marital status, residence, or even personal interaction. This is an attempt to expand the concept of family from "emotional bonds" to "genetic lineage." His decision is interpreted as a statement recognizing "DNA-based extended family communities" as a unit, transcending traditional family structures consisting of legal spouses and children. This perspective has sparked ethical debates and conflicts in legal interpretations among many legal scholars and ethicists. In some countries, it is common for children born from sperm donations not to have a legal relationship with the donor, nor do they acquire inheritance rights. However, Durov dismantled this framework within his own assets and redefined the concept of family. This attitude can be positively interpreted from the perspective of "democratization of genes," but there are also criticisms that it may blur the boundaries of reproductive responsibility.

Social Implications – Law, Ethics, Cultural Shock

Durov's inheritance philosophy challenges the legal order and ethical standards of modern society. Firstly, the distribution of inheritance is primarily determined by wills, which must fulfill the conditions of legal family relationships, the laws of the country of residence, and the circumstances at the time of death to be valid. However, Durov's declared inheritance plan includes children scattered across various countries, each with vastly differing legal statuses. In this regard, his inheritance plan carries the risk of conflicts between legal systems of different nations. Some countries, such as those in Europe and the United States, keep the identities of sperm donors confidential and do not guarantee inheritance rights for their descendants. In contrast, Durov is tracking children born from his sperm and preparing for inheritance, raising questions about the practical feasibility of such plans. Culturally, the implications are significant. Durov's decision is sometimes interpreted as an "experiment only the wealthy can afford." The average citizen may struggle to go beyond the legal framework in terms of the scope or method of inheritance, while the ultra-wealthy can leverage cross-border legal systems to create their unique legacy design. This has led some to criticize it as the "result of extreme individualism." However, from another perspective, there is a recognition of this as an experiment in ethical inheritance philosophy. Durov is not merely passing on wealth but is thoughtfully considering the timing and context in which his children will encounter that wealth, philosophically reconstructing the meaning of inheritance. This can be presented as a new model of inheritance in terms of "educational transmission of values" rather than merely "physical transfer of wealth."

Conclusion - Wealth and Responsibility, Redefining Family Finances

Pavel Durov's inheritance declaration is not a mere distribution of assets, but a declarative act that reconstructs the ethics and systems of our time. His decision raises essential questions about what family truly means, why inheritance exists, and under what conditions wealth should be transferred. He has moved beyond the traditional family-centered inheritance structure to grant equal rights to all children connected by genes, and has established a filter of time to ensure that wealth does not dominate life. This serves as an educational design that encourages children to first secure independence, responsibility, and a sense of self-identity, as well as an experiment in ethical transformation of wealth. Whether such an experiment is feasible, or how to overcome potential conflicts with laws and culture, will need to be observed in the future. However, what is clear is that Durov's attempt has prompted a reevaluation of the concepts of wealth, family, and responsibility in our society. In the digital age, legacy is not merely about monetary value, but is determined by the depth of the philosophy behind that legacy.