The top philanthropists in the world prove that the most powerful people in the world are not only those who manage to amass great wealth, but those who find it in themselves to give something back to the world. We would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the top philanthropists in the world. The following philanthropists are ranked according to the total amount of lifetime giving.
Curious to learn who the most generous people in the world are? Let’s take a look at the countdown of the top philanthropists in the world?
No. 6 top philanthropist in the world : Wang Jianlin (China)
Lifetime giving: $1.6 billion
With a net worth of nearly $11 billion, Wang Jianlin is a pretty wealthy man. As chairman of Dalian Wanda Group, Jianlin is in charge with handling various commercial centers throughout China. While most of his charity work so far has revolved on causes in his native country, Jianlin has donated more than $1.6 billion.
No. 5 top philanthropist in the world : Azim Premji (India)
Lifetime giving: $2 billion
Azim Premji’s impressive fortune is sustained by his equity fund, PremjiInvest, as well as by his work as chairman for Wipro Limited (ADR) (NYSE:WIT), one of the biggest software companies in the world. Throughout the years, Premji has shown his keenness to give something back to the community, by donating more than $2 billion to various education and health care causes.
No. 4 top philanthropist in the world : George Soros (US)
Lifetime giving: $6 billion
Hungarian-born George Soros is nowadays one of the biggest business magnates in the US. As chairman of Soros Fund Management, billions of dollars pass through his hands. But Soros has not kept it all to himself, as he has donated more than $6 billion for various causes, such as economic and social reforms and advocacy for democracy. Not forsaking his roots, Soros also funded a University in his hometown of Budapest, Hungary.
No. 3 top philanthropist in the world : Li Ka Shing (China)
Lifetime giving: $10 billion
The richest man in China has a total net worth of nearly $25 billion. Up till now Li Ka Shing has donated nearly half of that to numerous causes, in particular ones pertaining to health care and education.
No. 2 top philanthropist in the world : Bill Gates (US)
Lifetime giving: $30 billion
Bill Gates’ massive fortune has allowed him to a lot of good in this world. Alongside his wife Melinda, Bill Gates has donated more than $30 billion to numerous causes, ranging from AIDS and sanitation to education. Although now retired from the position of chairman at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Bill Gates has no intention of pulling the plug on his charity foundation that has helped millions of people around the world.
No. 1 top philanthropist in the world : Warren Buffett (US)
Lifetime giving: $30.7 billion
One of the wealthiest men in the US, Warren Buffett is widely regarded as being the most prolific investor of the last century. Throughout his career, Buffett has donated to a myriad of causes, ranging from world poverty and education to health care and information technology. He has made a purpose out of donating more than half of his total net worth and, alongside with Bill Gates, he has started the Giving Pledge, a campaign designed to encourage other billionaires to do the same.
If you enjoyed our breakdown of the top philanthropists in the world, you’ll like our “Top 9 Private Equity Executives.”
