Notable philanthropists
Famous philanthropists include, among others, Andrew Carnegie, Sheldon Adelson, and J.K. Rowling. However, the Chan-Zuckerberg family will undoubtedly remain on the list for many years. Not only have they demonstrated compassion and unconditional love, but they have also amassed substantial wealth.
Sheldon Adelson was one of the world’s most prominent and successful philanthropists. He was a vociferous Zionist who put his money where his mouth was and donated to causes he supported. In spite of his wealth, he was reviled by Israel’s adversaries.
Adelson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and began selling newspapers at age 12 on street corners. He eventually became one of the wealthiest men in the world after founding more than fifty companies during his lifetime. When he met Alti Bukiet, a Jewish woman from Lithuania who had recently opened the Chabad Center in Lexington, Massachusetts, he was a young man. They eventually got married and had three kids.
Andrew Carnegie was a notable philanthropist who contributed to the development and expansion of the American steel industry. He donated nearly 90 percent of his wealth to charity. His life has been described as “rags to riches.” His charitable work is not, however, without controversy.
Carnegie wrote “The Gospel of Wealth” in 1889, urging wealthy individuals to use their wealth to assist others. In addition, he supported progressive taxation and an inheritance tax. These efforts contributed to a surge of philanthropy.
J.K. Rowling is a renowned philanthropist who has won numerous awards for her contributions to children’s literature. In addition to assisting the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Scotland, she has supported a number of other charitable organizations. In addition, she has her own charitable trust, Volant, which supports a number of organizations and initiatives aimed at reducing social deprivation. Rowling is also the founder of the Lumos Children’s charity, which aims to end the institutionalization of children worldwide.
Rowling is also well-known for her contributions to the Fantastic Beasts film franchise. In 2001, the first film adaptation of her series was released, followed by six more books. A seventh film is in production. Rowling has also authored two companion volumes, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages.
Oprah Winfrey, famous for her talk show “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” has been nominated for a special Oscar, the Jean Hersholt award, which recognizes the humanitarian efforts of entertainment industry professionals. Winfrey has made significant contributions to a variety of charitable causes, including the rebuilding of New Orleans and the prevention of HIV/AIDS, despite the opinion of some that she is unfit for Hollywood. She has also contributed generously to church charities and private school scholarships for disadvantaged children.
In rural Mississippi, where she was raised by a single mother, Oprah Winfrey grew up. She was placed with a barber in Tennessee after becoming pregnant at the age of nine. She became one of the most famous women in the country as an adult. She was a co-anchor of local news in high school and later launched her own talk show. Her talk show ranked third in terms of viewership in her hometown.
Pierre Omidyar is a well-known philanthropist who founded a number of businesses and non-profit organizations, including Honolulu Civil Beat and First Look Media. He is also a member of eBay’s board of directors and the founder of the Omidyar Network. He has contributed billions of dollars to numerous causes and was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2011. In addition to his charitable activities, he has interests in real estate and entertainment. He established a number of media companies, including First Look Media and Topic Studios.
Omidyar and his wife Pam are extremely active philanthropists, having donated over $1 billion to numerous causes. Their philanthropic endeavors have resulted in the formation of four organizations, including the Omidyar Foundation and Humanity United. These organizations are active in each of their respective focuses.
In 2000, Gordon and Betty Moore established the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. It focuses on both local and global causes. Through its Environmental Conservation Program, the foundation also manages grantmaking related to development. The foundation has an asset base of $9 billion and a grantmaking budget exceeding $400 million.
The foundation has funded both innovative science and technology research as well as a number of health initiatives. It has contributed to the preservation of marine ecosystems in North America and has helped preserve over 170 hectares of rainforest in the Andes.
