In a move echoing the ambitions of other tech titans, a prominent Chinese gaming billionaire is reportedly constructing a unique succession plan. Xu Bo, the founder of one of China's largest mobile gaming companies, seeks to establish a 'dynasty of successors' by fathering numerous children in the United States who will inherit his vast fortune.
The $1.1 Billion Succession Blueprint
According to reports from Fortune and The Wall Street Journal, along with court testimonies, 48-year-old Xu Bo has a clear objective. The founder of Guangzhou Duoyi Network, which amassed his $1.1 billion fortune, aims to have at least 20 US-born children specifically to manage and inherit his wealth. His strategy involves leveraging surrogacy services based in the United States, a method that allows him to navigate around China's domestic birth restrictions while securing American citizenship for his heirs.
While the company recently denied claims that Xu has fathered over 100 children, it acknowledged that 12 were born in the US. However, reports citing accounts linked to Xu on Weibo suggest a far grander scale, with one claim stating he seeks "50 high-quality sons." Another account attributed the philosophy to Xu that "having more children can solve all problems." The controversy deepened last month when an ex-girlfriend alleged his biological offspring could number as many as 300 worldwide.
A Growing Trend Among the Ultra-Wealthy
Xu Bo is not an isolated case in his quest for a extensive biological legacy. He joins a small but notable group of ultra-wealthy men utilizing modern reproductive technology to expand their lineages. Telegram founder Pavel Durov, worth $14.2 billion, recently disclosed he has fathered over 100 children across 12 countries via sperm donation. Durov has stated his will grants equal rights to all his biological children to prevent future conflict.
Similarly, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a vocal advocate for higher global birth rates, has fathered at least 14 children with three different women. This pattern highlights a new dimension of wealth and legacy planning among the world's billionaires, where family expansion is pursued through contemporary means.
Implications and Legal Complexities
This unconventional succession plan raises significant questions about international law, inheritance, and the future management of a major Chinese gaming enterprise. By creating heirs who are US citizens, Xu Bo is effectively placing his company's future leadership and assets under a different legal and jurisdictional framework. The situation underscores the lengths to which some individuals will go to craft a personal dynasty, blending modern family planning with age-old desires for legacy and continuity.
The coming years will reveal how these plans unfold, especially as the children grow and the complex legalities of multinational inheritance come into play. For now, the story of Xu Bo offers a startling glimpse into the intersection of vast wealth, reproductive technology, and cross-border dynasty building.
