For many of the world’s richest people, philanthropy is an important part of their work, with many donating considerable amounts of money to charities and causes around the world. As industries continue to change, and more money collates at the top, it has never been more important for the world’s richest to help out those who need it.
But who are the most generous billionaires?
1. Bill Gates
Fittingly, the richest man on the planet is also the most generous, and has made around $27 billion worth of donations throughout his lifetime. Much of Bill Gates’ charity work takes place through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which spends a lot of time and money aiding children around the world.
2. Warren Buffett
One of the most well-known philanthropists in the world, Warren Buffett also works closely with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Having donated over $21 billion dollars to various causes himself, the CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway has also started The Giving Pledge to encourage other rich families into philanthropy.
3. George Soros
George Soros is a Hungarian-American financier known for his charity and political viewpoints. Soros has donated over $8 billion to various social causes, including the fight against Apartheid. The financier’s Open Society Foundation also promotes democratic causes such as public health, justice, and the freedom of the press.
4. Azim Premji
The Indian investor Azim Premji is known in his home country as the chairman of IT company Wipro Limited and for his considerable charity work. Premji was the first Indian to sign Warren Buffett’s The Giving Pledge, and has donated $8 billion of his personal wealth.
5. Charles F. Feeney
Known as the ‘James Bond of Philanthropy’ for his undercover charitable giving, Charles Feeney has become renowned for his determination to give away the entirety of his fortune. So far, he has managed to donate $8 billion to charities across the world, often in secret, leaving himself with around $2 million.
6. Carlos Slim
Thanks to his huge business empire in Mexico, Carlos Slim in one of the three richest men in the world. The Mexican business mogul has so far donated $8 billion, mostly through his two charitable foundations.
7. Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al Rajhi
The Saudi Arabian billionaire amassed his fortune in banking, founding the Al Rajhi bank with his three brothers. In 2011, Al Rajhi decided to donate the majority of his $7.7 billion fortune, having given away $5.7 billion since then.
8. Gordon Moore
Gordon Moore was the co-founder of tech giants Intel, before retiring from his role in 2006 to found the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The charity has donated $5 billion to a variety of causes, such as environmental conservation and patient care.
9. Michael Bloomberg
The founder of Bloomberg media and former Mayor of New York City is well-known for his charitable giving. Bloomberg has donated $3 billion to different charities and organisations, most notably the World Health Organisation.
10. Mark Zuckerberg
In 2015, the founder of Facebook announced his plan to give away 99% of his Facebook shares over his lifetime. So far Mark Zuckerberg has donated around $1.6 billion, but this total could rise beyond $40 billion dollars in the future.