The world is filled with people who love to give and who love to do what they can for the causes that most need it. It’s what we like to call philanthropy. Some people can afford to give millions to charity and others can afford to give their time and their efforts. We don’t discount any of the above; those who give are all amazing people in our eyes no matter what they give or what they do. The billionaire giving millions to medical research to find a cure for cancer is no better than the woman working two jobs to support her family while only having time to volunteer at the homeless shelter an hour a week; anyone who gives without receiving is beautiful.
Billionaires have more resources than anyone else in the world, and that’s what makes them so valuable to the world of philanthropy. While so many love to criticize the wealthy for not doing more or giving more or being better, we know it’s simply not the case for so many. People love to criticize the wealthy for not doing more, for being awful people and for not being nice – but doesn’t everyone who reaches a certain level of success end up with that reputation? Let’s face it; you don’t reach this level of success by making everyone happy or by wasting time. We love these billionaires and their giving nature – and we know you will, too.
Carl Icahn – $25 billion
He has a nasty reputation for not being very nice, but doesn’t everyone who reaches a certain level of success? He’s got some nasty nicknames, more enemies than he can count and a lot of haters. However, he’s also pledged all of his assets to charity when he passes. He also donates heavily to medical research at some of the best hospitals in the country. He might not be your favorite, but you can’t ignore his generosity.
Mark Zuckerberg – $35 million
He’s my age, maybe just a little bit younger than me, and he’s someone that I really admire. I look at social media and see the people my age posting those awful and embarrassing duck face selfies and airing their very trashy dirty laundry all over the internet for people to see and I wonder why more people are like Mark Zuckerberg – keeping their private life private and donating their billions to charity when they die. He’s already donated more than $1 billion of his Facebook shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and he’s not done yet. Step it up people my own age.
Michael Bloomberg – $35 million
The media maven and former New York City Mayor has a lot to live up to in terms of being a good person; he has created a reputation for himself as a giving soul and a hardcore businessman. It’s pretty impressive. He has also joined his fellow American billionaires Bill Gates and Larry Ellison to sign a pledge giving almost all of his net worth to his charitable foundation upon his death. His foundation cares for education, public health, the environment and even the arts. I’m working on making myself his charitable case, too, but apparently I’m not all that needy (I kid…I’m good).
Larry Ellison – $51 billion
He’s the man behind Oracle, and he’s also just a little bit on the wealthy side. I mean, he’s no Bill Gates but we doubt he’s worried about spending too much at Christmas. He recently provided a pledge letter to the public asserting he will send 95% of his assets to various charities across the globe, and he also has his own medical foundation that works on learning more about age-related disease so he can put a stop to them. One day, I think we will appreciate that even more.
Bill Gates – $81 billion
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one that is quite impressive, and we love what they are doing. This power couple works hard to end poverty across the globe, and they are looking to help the education system in the US, which is something that needs their help. This amazing couple also pledged to leave the vast majority of their billions to charity when they pass rather than leaving it all to their kids. The kids might not like that much, but we think it speaks volumes.
