Inside the Life of a Father of 29: Building a Legacy Beyond Limits

Ivan is relentlessly pursuing his vision — to build a sprawling clan of descendants. His relationships come with strict rules that his spouses must never break.

By age 16, Ivan was already a father to seven children. Now at 40, he continues to expand his family, soon welcoming his 30th child. As a businessman, he embraces only one form of marriage — polygamy — raising children with 12 different women.

In an interview with Sasha Sulim, Ivan confidently declares his goal to have at least fifty heirs. He firmly rejects contraception, only engaging intimately with women when he has serious intentions: "I date a woman; she talks about eternal love, but often changes her mind within a week — and usually ends up pregnant." This principle has guided him throughout his life: "Why have sex if not to have children? If it's just for pleasure, that's not for me. What's the point of family then? My goal is to have many children."

Ivan plans to keep growing his "kingdom."

"I set no limits. Thirty children aren’t many — they grow up, leave the nest, and start their own families. One hundred is good, normal even. My minimum life goal is fifty. If I don’t have fifty children, I consider myself a failure," he states.

In his youth, Ivan simultaneously lived with several women, carefully ensuring they didn’t know about each other. Each had her own apartment while Ivan worked tirelessly without rest.

"I told each one she was my only true love. I traveled constantly back and forth. At first, they didn’t notice, but eventually they caught on," he recalls.

His lifestyle was inspired by a visit to the Caucasus at age 12, where he witnessed a family that respected the man and where all children were happy. This different mindset motivated his own path.

Ivan is convinced there’s no jealousy among his wives, attributing it to selfishness taught from childhood.

"Jealousy doesn’t exist. Girls are told they’re unique and beautiful, which breeds insecurities. They start wearing masks and pretending to be someone else," he explains.

While Ivan takes multiple wives, he limits their freedoms. His reasoning: "I’m a man, she’s a woman. I won’t make my wife carry heavy loads. If we are equals, then she should support me financially."

Ivan refuses to limit himself biologically. If men can father up to 100 children, why restrict himself? "If I want many children, why settle for one wife who can only bear so many? If she chooses to stop having children, that’s her decision. I won’t force her. That’s why I decided to take more wives."

He shares his intentions openly with potential partners; if they disagree, intimacy never happens.

Ivan has encountered women who stayed only for his money, but he learned from those experiences and no longer repeats the same mistakes: "I’m very caring and never skimped on my wives, which was my error. When I lost much of my wealth, the women who stayed valued me, not money. They didn’t care about what we ate, wore, or where we went."

Currently, Ivan lives with three wives and 14 children in a three-bedroom apartment. Only he has a private room; the rest are divided into male and female spaces.

"I’m a little president in my own country," he says.

All of Ivan’s wives are professionals — a doctor, an investigator, and a bailiff — but after marriage, he forbids them from working, calling working wives "men in skirts."

"She’s either a wife or a free woman. If she wants independence, she’s neither wife nor mother. That’s an illusion. A woman seeking independence is already unhappy," Ivan insists.

He restricts his wives’ social interactions, not allowing them to meet friends outside the home but permits visits at their place. There are no limits on social media, with some wives even running blogs. Financially, Ivan controls their spending, transferring money to their bank cards himself.

"She tells me what she needs, and we discuss it. If approved, she buys it. Even for small purchases, like ice cream or water, she must ask. I could deny water, but that never happened. It’s about respecting the husband," Ivan explains.

Initially, he personally bought clothes for his wives, delivering packages to their homes. Now, they know the boundaries and shop independently.

Ivan manages his time among his wives: "If I come home tired, we might watch a movie, then I go to my room to sleep alone. When really exhausted, I might ask for a massage. I tried rotating between wives but realized it wasn’t right — they started timing me. Now, I call whoever I want."

The large family lives in a 750-square-foot apartment in Moscow. Older children have moved out, leaving 14 at home. Ivan calls himself wealthy but limits monthly spending for 18 people to around $1,000.

"That’s my current max. Two years ago, it was $800. Balance and discipline are key. My kids aren’t consumers. We have a menu and schedule. We bake our own bread. My daughters cook. We eat varied meals five times a day," he shares.

All children are homeschooled without phones, limited cartoons, and strict discipline — including punishments for misbehavior and honesty tests involving money left in plain sight.

From a certain age, Ivan holds serious talks: "For daughters, I say, if you marry, it’s for life. No dating before marriage. I don’t even leave my daughter alone with other men. I’m a father and must protect my honor."

Two daughters were married off at 16, eager to start families.

"They were already betrothed. Men come to me knowing my daughters are well-raised. I give them tasks, and whoever succeeds, like in old Russian tradition, gets my daughter," Ivan explains.

One suitor was asked to open ten restaurants in Moscow to win his bride — a challenge he met.

Ivan’s sons support his views, boldly claiming, "Dad, I’ll have more wives and children than you." Others choose different paths, and Ivan cuts financial ties, letting them live independently.

"I won’t fund self-destruction. I’ve done my part. We talk, but if help is needed, sorry — you chose your path. You stay away from siblings because one bad apple spoils the bunch," he states firmly.

Ivan’s candid revelations have sparked lively online discussions and memorable quotes.

Comments include: "I don’t have the patience to watch this craziness," "If he shows me how to clean and cook in 2 hours and still look fresh, I’ll be grateful," and "Girls, he’s clearly mentally unwell. Let’s move on."

What are your thoughts on Ivan’s story?

Photo credits: video stills, NDAB Creativity, Maxim Ibragimov, PeopleImages.com — Yuri A, Wasan Tita / Shutterstock / Fotodom.ru

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