Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, father to a 100 children, is offering his sperm and IVF treatment for free

Pavel Durov has been a longstanding donor, supplying sperm for over 14 years. (Images: @durov/Instagram)

Telegram founder Pavel Durov is offering free access to his sperm for women desiring to have children via IVF. As the billionaire, often dubbed “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg,” navigates legal troubles in France, where he is currently under investigation and barred from leaving the country, the 40-year-old entrepreneur has announced a new philanthropic endeavour involving a Moscow-based IVF clinic, AltraVita.

The clinic has disclosed that women interested in using Durov’s sperm for IVF can undergo the procedure at no cost. The company’s CEO, Sergei Yakovenko, reportedly confirmed, “Pavel Durov compensates our clinic for all expenses related to IVF programs where his sperm is used.”

According to Yakovenko, Durov has been a longstanding donor, supplying sperm for over 14 years. AltraVita stated to The Mirror that this offer is “a generous contribution to society from a person who strives to help those who dream of becoming parents.”

Durov’s latest announcement adds to his already extensive history as a sperm donor, with the billionaire reportedly fathering over 100 children across 12 countries through IVF.

The offer, however, comes with some stipulations. Women interested in the free IVF service must be under 37 and undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine their suitability for the procedure. Those opting for Durov’s sperm will receive full support from AltraVita’s medical team, while those not participating in the program would face typical IVF costs between £885 and £1,440. Durov's net worth is around $15.5 billion.

Durov, 40, was detained in Paris in August, shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan on his private jet. The investigation reportedly centres around alleged criminal activities on Telegram, with French authorities examining Durov’s role in allowing such actions on his platform. His partner, 24-year-old Yulia Vavilova, a gamer and cryptocurrency coach, was with him during the detention.

In recent years, Durov has avoided residence in Russia due to ongoing tensions with the Kremlin. He has held passports from multiple countries, including France, Russia, the UAE, and St Kitts and Nevis, and has based himself primarily in the UAE.