Famous Philanthropists - List of Famous Philanthropists - page 19

Philanthropists are the individuals who strive to contribute to the well-being of humankind through their efforts, time and money. They are actively involved in promoting human welfare, and usually strive to achieve this by making generous donation of money to worthy causes. Philanthropy is often associated with the wealthy as they have more resources to donate, but not everyone who is wealthy is engaged in philanthropy! One of the best known philanthropists of our time is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates who along with his wife Melinda is a co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Equally well known for his philanthropy is American industrialist and investor Warren Buffet who has pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes. Li Ka-shing and George Soros are also noted philanthropists. Several of the modern day philanthropists cite the Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie as their inspiration—Carnegie gave away almost 90 percent of his fortune to charities, foundations, and universities. He is also credited to have urged the other wealthy people to use their fortunes to help improve society. Read on to discover about the life and works of various famous philanthropists from all over the world.

List of famous philanthropists with their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.

The Most Famous Philanthropists

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Kevin CostnerJanuary 18, 1955AmericanKevin Costner is an American actor, director and singer who is best known for his portrayal of rugged individuals with complex emotions
Princess Ameerah Al-TaweelNovember 6, 1983Saudi ArabianPrincess Ameerah Al-Taweel is a Saudi Arabian princess widely recognized for her philanthropy and activism
Jimmy PageJanuary 9, 1944BritishJimmy Page is an English musician who rose to fame as the guitarist and leader of the rock band Led Zeppelin
ShakiraFebruary 2, 1977ColombianShakira is a highly popular award winning Columbian pop singer and dancer
Max PolyakovJune 30, 1977UkrainianMax Polyakov is an international businessman, scientist and philanthropist
Mel GibsonJanuary 3, 1956AmericanMel Gibson is an American actor and filmmaker
Phil KnightFebruary 24, 1938AmericanPhil Knight is the co-founder of Nike, Inc., one of the world's largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel
T. B. JoshuaJune 12, 1963NigerianT
Chris GardnerFebruary 9, 1954AmericanChris Gardner is the founder of the famous brokerage enterprise, ‘Gardner Rich & Co.’
Sathya Sai BabaNovember 23, 1926IndianSathya Sai Baba was an Indian guru who claimed to be the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi
Jonathan Kozol

Jonathan Kozol

Jonathan Kozol is an award-winning American non-fiction writer, activist and educator

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer, lyricist, musician, record producer and actor

AmericanMarch 2, 1962280 views

John Newton

John Newton was an English sailor and Anglican clergyman

BritishJuly 24, 1725123 views

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was an American actress, comedian, writer, producer and TV host

AmericanJune 8, 1933165 views

Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is an English musician who rose to fame as the guitarist and leader of the rock band Led Zeppelin

BritishJanuary 9, 19441,180 views

Hugh Hefner

Hugh Hefner was an American adult magazine publisher best known for being the founder of Playboy Enterprises

AmericanApril 9, 1926214 views

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer, well-known for his role in ‘Star Wars’ Apocalypse Now, ‘Air Force One’ and ‘Indiana Jones’

AmericanJuly 13, 1942256 views

Katie Piper

Katie Elizabeth Piper is an English philanthropist, TV presenter, and former model

BritishOctober 12, 1983564 views

Kimbal Musk

Kimbal Musk is an American businessman, venture capitalist, and restaurateur