Forbes Unveils America's Most Generous Billionaires
A definitive ranking of the top ten most philanthropic billionaires in the United States has been published, revealing which ultra-wealthy individuals have parted with significant portions of their fortunes. The analysis by Forbes scrutinises the charitable giving within the country's top one percent, with many on the list having donated up to 40 percent of their total wealth. However, the report indicates a stark contrast, as only half of the nation's twelve richest people are considered among the most generous donors.
Notable Absences from the Philanthropic Elite
Several prominent billionaires are conspicuously absent from the top tier of givers. Tesla founder Elon Musk, for instance, has reportedly donated only 0.06 percent of his colossal $780 billion net worth. Similarly, Google co-founder Larry Page has given away a mere 0.03 percent of his lifetime earnings, despite a net worth of $270 billion. Oracle founder Larry Ellison, with a fortune of $241 billion, has contributed just $1 billion in charitable donations over his lifetime. While some multibillionaires may have made additional undisclosed contributions, others are celebrated for their transparent and substantial philanthropic efforts.
The Top Ten Most Charitable Billionaires
Here is the detailed breakdown of the top ten most philanthropic billionaires, including their donation totals and the primary causes they support.
10. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the fourth richest person in the US with an estimated net worth of $250 billion, ranks as the tenth most philanthropic billionaire. Together with his wife, Lauren Sanchez, Bezos has donated approximately $4.7 billion to charitable causes. A significant portion has been directed to the Bezos Earth Fund, established in 2020, which has pledged $10 billion to combat climate change by 2030 and has already disbursed $2.4 billion. Additional funding supports the tuition-free Bezos Academy preschools and the Day 1 Families Fund for temporary housing.
9. Sergey Brin
Google co-founder Sergey Brin, 52, has a net worth of approximately $249 billion, nearly $20 billion less than his counterpart Larry Page, yet he has been far more generous. Brin has donated about two percent of his wealth, totalling roughly $5 billion. More than $2 billion of this has been allocated to Parkinson's research, inspired by his late mother's diagnosis. He has also supported research into bipolar disorder and autism through foundations like Catalyst4 and the Sergey Brin Family Foundation.
8. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have a combined net worth of around $213 billion. Their lifetime giving totals $6.1 billion, or three percent of their fortune. The couple focuses their philanthropy through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which emphasises disease prevention using artificial intelligence. In late 2025, they contributed over $400 million to AI-powered biology research and have partnered with various educational initiatives and local non-profits.
7. Steve and Connie Ballmer
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie have a net worth of $141 billion and have given away $6.5 billion, representing four percent of their wealth. Their philanthropy, managed through the Ballmer Group, primarily targets economic mobility for low-income families. Recent grants have aided families affected by the 2025 Palisades Fires via organisations like the Boys & Girls Club and Los Angeles County YMCAs, with additional funds supporting schools in Los Angeles and behavioural health clinics in several states.
6. Marilyn Simons
Marilyn Simons, widow of hedge fund manager Jim Simons, has a net worth of $32.6 billion. The Simons family has donated an impressive 24 percent of their lifetime net worth, equating to $10.3 billion. They founded the Simons Foundation in 1994 to advance basic science through grants and research support. Simons, 75, has pledged $80 million to the Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience, a decade-long project focused on brain research.
5. George Soros
Hungarian-American investor George Soros, 95, has given away approximately 76 percent of his net worth, totalling $24 billion over his lifetime, leaving him with a current net worth of $7.5 billion. He established the Open Society Foundations in 1993 to promote human rights, equity, and justice globally. In 2024 alone, the foundation donated $1 billion to human rights groups, with additional contributions including $7 million to the Barack Obama Foundation and $3.5 million to West Africa Democracy Radio.
4. Michael Bloomberg
Businessman and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has a net worth of $109 billion. His lifetime charitable giving amounts to $25.4 billion, or 19 percent of his wealth, channelled through Bloomberg Philanthropies. His donations focus on climate change, health, and education. In 2025, he pledged $100 million to reduce methane emissions and donated half a million dollars to historically black colleges and universities.
3. MacKenzie Scott
Jeff Bezos's ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, has a net worth of $30.9 billion but has donated $26.4 billion in less than seven years, reportedly giving more than anyone else worldwide in 2025. Her philanthropy spans over 2,500 organisations focused on education, climate, and gender equality. Since her divorce, she has given away 75 percent of the Amazon shares she received, establishing Yield Giving to distribute her wealth.
2. Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates
Despite divorcing in 2021, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates have a combined lifetime giving of $52.6 billion, or 28 percent of their wealth, primarily through the Gates Foundation (formerly the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), which focuses on global health initiatives. French Gates has donated $540 million to women's social change causes via Pivotal Philanthropies, while Gates, with a net worth of $107 billion, has transferred $10.8 billion to her foundation.
1. Warren Buffett
Topping the list is Warren Buffett, 95, regarded as the foremost philanthropist of all time. He has donated 32 percent of his $146 billion net worth, totalling approximately $68 billion, to causes including health and poverty alleviation. After retiring as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in 2025, he modified his earlier pledge to give over 99 percent of his wealth, now planning to leave his three children $500 million annually to donate through their foundations.
Overall Philanthropic Impact
Collectively, the world's top billionaires donated $34 billion in the past year and $275 billion over their lifetimes. However, this represents only 14 percent of their combined fortunes, highlighting the vast potential for increased charitable giving among the ultra-wealthy.
