Jeff Bezos Commits To Donate Most Of His $124 Billion Fortune To Fight Climate Change And Unify Humanity
The entrepreneur, who serves as executive chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, has pledged $10 billion to fight climate change and protect the environment.
Since stepping down as Amazon's CEO last year, Jeff Bezos, who has a $123.9 billion fortune and is the fourth-richest person in the world, has intensified his charitable endeavors.
Bezos, who left his position as CEO of Amazon in 2021, owns around 10% of the mammoth eCommerce business.
forbes
In addition to announcing a $200 million gift to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, he focuses most of his attention on addressing climate change via his $10 billion Earth Fund.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com Inc., said in an interview with CNN today that he plans to donate most of his $124 billion wealth during his lifetime.
EPA
Bezos stated that he and his partner, journalist-turned-philanthropist Lauren Sanchez, were "building the capacity to be able to give away this money".
The entrepreneur, who serves as executive chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, has pledged $10 billion to fight climate change and protect the environment.
The "Bezos Courage & Decency Award," which honors leaders who "pursue solutions with courage and civility," gave $100 million to the philanthropist and country music icon Dolly Parton, he confirmed on Twitter on Saturday.
Reuters
The music icon has received $100 million from Bezos to donate to any charities of her choice.
Dolly Parton is "a woman who leads with love" and "gives with her heart," as per Bezos, 58.
"She gives with her heart and leads with love in every aspect of her work. What she's done for kids, literacy, and so many other things, is just incredible," Jeff Bezos said in a video posted on social media.
The Amazon founder announced the award with his partner Lauren Sanchez.
The singer, thanking Jeff Bezos, said, "I try to put my money where my heart is, and I think you do the same thing. I will do my best to do good things with this money."
The 76-year-old Parton has run a nonprofit giving kids books worldwide. Firmly in favor of immunization, she contributed $1 million to the coronavirus research fund at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support Moderna Inc.'s vaccine.
Former beneficiaries of Jeff Bezos' $100 million prize include Van Jones, the founder of Dream.org, and chef Jose Andres. The World Central Kitchen project, which provides food to those in disaster-stricken locations worldwide, was started by Jose Andres.
(With agency inputs)
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