A majority of Jeff Bezos’ $124 billion (£107 billion) fortune will be donated throughout his lifetime, according to the creator of Amazon.
The businessman told CNN that he would contribute his riches to the battle against inequality and climate change. He has received criticism in the past for not making a promise to donate his riches to good causes.
The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, and Mr. Bezos’ ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, have all pledged to donate their wealth. After giving $100 million to philanthropist Dolly Parton for use in charity endeavors, Mr. Bezos announced his plans.
When asked by CNN if he planned to donate the majority of his wealth throughout his lifetime, Mr. Bezos responded, “Yeah, I do.”
The tricky part is figuring out how to do it in a levered fashion, he said, declining to elaborate on how he would spend or donate the money.
Previous charitable giving
Before 2020, the multibillionaire contributed $10 billion to the Bezos Earth Fund, which he established to aid in the battle against climate change.
The decision was made in response to Mr. Bezos and other businesspeople receiving criticism for devoting a sizable portion of their income to space travel rather than addressing issues on Earth. Amazon’s workforce had previously criticized the company for its actions toward climate change.
After founding the online shop Amazon in 1994, Mr. Bezos rose to become one of the wealthiest persons on the planet.
In 2021, he resigned as CEO of Amazon, but he is still the board chairman. Additionally, he is the owner of Blue Origin, a space tourism business, and the Washington Post.
The Bezos Courage & Decency Award, which honors leaders who “pursue solutions with courage and civility,” was presented to Dolly Parton on Sunday by Mr. Bezos.
Ms. Parton will be able to donate the money to the charity of her choice. She has supported causes including promoting children’s literacy.
Dolly is the perfect recipient for this prize, and we are confident that she will use it to accomplish incredible things, Ms. Sanchez said to CNN.
Ms. Parton responded in an online ceremony video: “Wow! Did you say $100m?”
Added her: “I believe that those who can contribute financially ought to do so. I’ll try my best to use this money for good.”
With prizes going to the chef and humanitarian Jose Andres and activist Van Jones, who founded World Central Kitchen, which supplies food in disaster-stricken nations, Mr. Bezos inaugurated the honor in 2021.
This month, Ms. Parton—a musician, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist—was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
She established the Dollywood Foundation, which has distributed books to children all around the world and has a history of publicly supporting charities.
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