Billionaire Telegram founder Pavel Durov offers IVF funding to women under 37 using his sperm

Durov, whose net worth is estimated at nearly $17 billion, has connected the global decline in sperm counts to environmental factors such as pollution from plastics and expressed pride in contributing to solving the issue. Durov described his donations as a "civic duty" to address the shortage of "high-quality donor material" and to reduce the stigma surrounding sperm donation, according to the New York Post.

His sperm donation offer drew significant interest last year, with dozens of women seeking his sperm through a Moscow clinic, according to The Wall Street Journal. The clinic, which primarily serves wealthy Russian and international clients, promoted Durov's sperm as having "high genetic compatibility" and noted that he would pay for IVF treatments for women under 37 wishing to use his "in-demand" sperm.

A former doctor at the clinic who examined several volunteers confirmed that the sperm donations are available exclusively to unmarried women, with embryos screened for genetic disorders. Access to Durov’s sperm is limited to women aged 37 or younger to avoid legal complications, he said.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Photo courtesy of Durov's Instagram

Durov is part of a small group of influential ultra-wealthy individuals exploring the boundaries of reproductive ethics and technology, The Wall Street Journal noted. Tesla's Elon Musk, for example, has reportedly expressed interest in fathering a "legion-level" number of children to counter declining birth rates.

Durov donation journey began in 2010 when he assisted a friend struggling to conceive, and continued after fertility specialists informed him of a donor shortage. He claimed to have fathered at least 100 children through sperm donation, in addition to having six children from three different partners.

He stated that all of his children, regardless of their conception method, will inherit a share of his fortune. "As long as they can establish their shared DNA with me, someday maybe in 30 years from now, they will be entitled to a share of my estate after I’m gone," Durov said during an October interview on Lex Fridman’s podcast.

Durov is now in a relationship with online influencer Juli Vavilova, who revealed she suffered a miscarriage in 2024.

Durov, 41, who launched Telegram in 2013, previously created Russia's popular social media platform VK. Telegram, now with over one billion active users worldwide, has become one of the most influential messaging platforms globally.