Bill and Melinda Gates, together with Warren Buffett, set up the Giving Pledge in 2010. So far the open invitation for ultra high-net worth people to dedicate at least half their wealth to good causes has led 231 people from 28 countries to make the pledge. We profile some of the famous names who have counted themselves in, and why they've decided to give back.

Thomas Monaghan, the co-founder of Domino's Pizza, had an estimated net worth of $500 million (£382m) in 2005, but in 2010 he revealed his long-held plan to give it all away. In his Pledge he wrote: "In 1998 when my sale of Domino’s Pizza was made public, the Detroit Free Press headline read, 'I (Monaghan) Plan to Die Broke'. You could say that my giving pledge was made public at that time, but it was something I had contemplated for many years." 

Another Scot on this list, Dame Ann Gloag shares a net worth of £650 million ($872.2m) with her brother Brian thanks to their Stagecoach company, as reported by the Sunday Time Rich List 2021. That's a decrease of £80 million (£107.4m) in her wealth from 2020. She joined The Giving Pledge in 2014, and her statement read: “It is so important that those of us who have enjoyed fortune in business utilise our skills and knowledge in philanthropy to empower people to help themselves. Through my Foundations, I hope to continue to contribute to improving the lives of women and children for many years to come and I am honoured to join The Giving Pledge.”

 

Sir Tom Hunter was the first home-grown billionaire in Scotland. He is famous for setting up the now defunct sports retailer Sports Division. According to the Sunday Times Rich List 2021, Hunter is worrth £729 million ($979.4m). He and his wife Lady Marion have already started to give away their riches, and by 2016 had already donated $71.7 million (£55m). Their pledge reads: “We don’t want to be the richest guys in the graveyard we want to “do good” while we are still alive. Why let others have all the fun?” 

 

Craig Silverstein was one of Google's first employees and boasted an estimated net worth of $950 million (£724m) a decade ago, though his wealth today remains unclear. He runs the Echidna Giving Fund with his partner Mary Obelnicki, a former software engineer. They wrote in their Pledge letter: "We’ve been learning along the way: how to find and trust the experts, how to plan not just our philanthropic money but our philanthropic time, and how to support the most impactful, innovative, and promising work possible."

Former CEO of tech giant Cisco, John Morgridge has an estimated net worth of $1 billion (£767m). He joined the Pledge together with his wife Tashia and they wrote: "Through our foundation and also personally, we have now given away over half our net worth. It is our intent to remain involved and to continue to give. Our children intend to carry on their work after we are gone. The adventure continues."

Venture capitalist Chris Sacca is best known for appearing on the NBC show Shark Tank, and made his $1.1 billion (£820.2m) fortune by investing early in the likes of Twitter and Uber. In 2019 he and his wife, Crystal Sacca, pledged: "We couldn't feel luckier to be able to dedicate the majority of our time and money to bold and ambitious efforts to ensure health, justice, and opportunity for all of humanity and the planet we share."

The founder of global underwear brand Spanx, Sara Blakely is worth $1.2 billion (£894.6m), according to Forbes. Her pledge is about helping women. She wrote: "I am committed to the belief that we would all be in a much better place if half the human race (women) were empowered to prosper, invent, be educated, start their own businesses, run for office – essentially be given the chance to soar! I pledge to invest in women because I believe it offers one of the greatest returns on investment."

The former AOL CEO Steve Case is worth $1.5 billion (£1.1bn), while his wife Jean is a former VP of AOL. They created their charitable Case Foundation in 1997. In their Pledge letter they wrote: "We are pleased to join The Giving Pledge and publicly reaffirm our commitment to give away the majority of our wealth to fund worthy charitable causes. We also look forward to working with the dozens of others who have made the Giving Pledge commitment to share lessons, perspectives and best practices." 

The founder of UK-based budget airline easyJet, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has a current net worth of $2.17 billion (£1.6bn) according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2021. In his Pledge letter he wrote: "I set up my Foundation (www.stelios.org), under the laws of England where most of the wealth was created and it is to this entity that I have pledged to give half my estate to serve as a perpetual vehicle for my legacy... doing good for ever. This is in addition to spending a fair portion of my annual income on good causes each year."

Zillow founder and CEO and Netflix board member, Rich Barton, has a net worth of $2.2 billion (£1.6bn) according to Forbes. He signed the pledge along with his wife, Sarah Barton, in 2020. Together they pledged: "We live in a world with far too much ingrained injustice. We hope we can help illuminate and address society’s injustices so that opportunity can be much more broadly distributed and inclusive."

Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of the hugely successful Greek yogurt brand Chobani, is worth an estimated $2.2 billion (£1.6bn). He stated: "I dedicate my signing of the Giving Pledge to my mother and I am publicly committing the majority of my personal wealth – along with everything else I can do – to help refugees and help bring an end to this humanitarian crisis. I believe that as people who have been blessed with opportunity in our own lives we must give hope to others."

The African mining magnate Patrice Motsepe was the first African to sign the Giving Pledge. He has an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion  (£1.7bn). He signed up to the Giving Pledge together with his wife Dr Precious Motsepe, he wrote: "Precious and I will contribute at least half of the funds generated by our family assets to the Motsepe Foundation to be used during our lifetimes and beyond."

Media mogul Ted Turner is worth an estimated $2.3 billion (£1.7bn). Explaining his philosophy on philanthropy he wrote: "I consider my contributions of more than 1.3 billion dollars to various causes over the years to be one of my proudest accomplishments and the best investment I've ever made. Those dollars have improved lives, saved species, fought disease, educated children, inspired change, challenged ideas and opened minds."

Terry Ragon is an American entrepreneur who founded InterSystems, where he is currently CEO. He and his wife Susan have a combined net worth of $2.4 billion (£1.8bn) and they joined The Giving Pledge in 2016, writing: “Susan and I were born in families of modest means, but we always had enough, we had natural gifts, and we had opportunities. As those advantages have turned into financial success, we’ve increasingly felt a responsibility to help those less fortunate.”

The Arnold’s set up the Laura and John Arnold Foundation in 2008 and joined The Giving Pledge. And so far they have stayed true to their word. Their net worth is $3.3 billion (£2.4bn) and the couple have spent over $100 million (£76.6m) on healthcare grants since 2014. While their foundation makes contributions to education reform, healthcare reform and criminal justice reform. Their pledge read: “We view our wealth in this light - not as an end in itself, but as an instrument to effect positive and transformative change.”  

The founder of web-hosting business GoDaddy, Bob Parsons is worth an estimated $3.4 billion (£2.5bn). He joined the Pledge with his wife Renee. He wrote: "Renee and I have always believed every child has the right to good nutrition, the best medical care, a good education, a happy and stress free environment and the hope that they too will share in the American Dream. We’ve dedicated our foundation and our resources to helping make this happen. It makes sense we join The Giving Pledge."

Nandan Nilekani co-founded tech giant Infosys. He has an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion (£2.6bn). He joined the Pledge with his wife Rohini. They wrote: "What should we do at this time? That is a question every citizen must ask. Those of us who have wealth beyond all our wants must ask that very sharply. Wealth comes with huge responsibility and is best deployed for the larger public interest."

The founder of India-based bio-pharmaceutical company Biocon Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion (£2.7bn). She wrote in her Pledge: "I have been giving away half of my income towards philanthropy on an annual basis. My will reflects this intent very succinctly... My philanthropic efforts are largely directed towards making a difference to global healthcare especially in the developing world."

Brit Richard Branson is worth $3.9 billion (£3.9bn) according to Forbes. Branson earned his money through his Virgin Group of companies. He signed up to the Pledge in 2013 with his wife Joan. In their Pledge note they wrote: "We are honoured to be joining this great group of leaders as part of a movement where all sectors are working together towards radical new approaches to solving issues that will help to truly change the world for the better."

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Eric Lefkofsky is an American billionaire famous for co-founding Groupon. He and his wife Liz have a net worth of $4.1 billion (£3bn) and they joined The Giving Pledge in 2013. Their pledge reads: “We recognize that perhaps our greatest accomplishment—with the exception of the kids we raise—will not come from businesses we've started, but from the help we provide to people and causes around the world.”

Jeff Rothschild cofounded Veritas Software, which was sold to Symantec in 2004 for $13.5 billion (£10bn) in stock. Rothschild was also the former vice president of infrastructure engineering at Facebook. As reported by Forbes, he boasts a net worth of $4.3bn (£3.2bn). In 2020, he and his wife, Marieke Rothschild, pledged: “The central theme of our philanthropy has been to have a positive impact on the lives of others who have not had the opportunities and good fortune we have enjoyed.”

Media mogul Barry Diller has an estimated net worth of $5 billion (£3.7bn) and his wife fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is estimated to be worth $300 million (£230m). On joining The Giving Pledge, Diller wrote: "I don't think there's another group like it anywhere – a room full of very complex personalities – of drive and aspiration – of ego and curiosity – all engaged in wanting to help solve problems for others, to make the world a fairer better place..."

Jeff Skoll was eBay's first full-time employee and later became the company president. He is worth $5.8 billion (£4.3bn) according to Forbes. He left eBay in 2001 to pursue other ventures. In his Pledge letter he wrote: "I expect to contribute almost all of my wealth to the betterment of humanity either during or after my lifetime. In the meantime, I will continue to tell stories that awaken enlightened self-interest, activate citizen engagement, and galvanize political will."

The co-founder and CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings has an estimated net worth of $6.1 billion (£4.5bn). He signed up to the Giving Pledge with his wife Patty Quillin. In their Pledge they stated: "It's an honor to be able to try to help our community, our country and our planet through our philanthropy. We are thrilled to join with other fortunate people to pledge a majority of our assets to be invested in others."

Scott Cook is the co-founder of financial software giant Intuit, with his net worth estimated at $6.5 billion (£4.8bn). He joined the Pledge with his wife Signe Ostby. They wrote: "Can just a few people set a new social norm, one that drives marked change in behaviour?... that’s what Warren, Bill, and Melinda are doing with the Giving Pledge. They have inspired us to... publicly state what we have long planned – to donate the majority of our financial bounty to driving social progress..."

Melanie Perkins and her husband, Cliff Obrecht, co-founded design software Canva. Despite only being 34 years old, Perkins and her husband are worth an incredible $6.5 billion (£4.8bn) according to Forbes. They pledged in 2021: "We have this wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money, goodwill, and good intentions in the world to solve most of the world’s problems." 

The founder of medical record software provider Epic, Judy Faulkner has an estimated net worth of $6.5 billion (£4.8bn). She wrote in her Pledge letter: "Many years ago I asked my young children what two things they needed from their parents. They said, 'food and money.' I told them 'roots and wings.' My goal in pledging 99% of my assets to philanthropy is to help others with roots – food, warmth, shelter, healthcare, education – so they too can have wings."

George Lucas and Mellody Hobson were among the first group of people to sign the Pledge in 2010. The filmmaker of Star Wars fame is reported to be worth $6.6 billion (£4.9bn) according to Forbes. Lucas wrote: "As long as I have the resources at my disposal, I will seek to raise the bar for future generations of students of all ages. I am dedicating the majority of my wealth to improving education."

Co-founder of home improvement retailer Home Depot, Arthur Blank is claimed to be worth around $8 billion (£6bn) according to Forbes. He signed up to the Pledge in 2012 when he wrote: "Eighteen years ago this month, my family established The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation with the goal of sharing our blessings by giving back to the communities that made our good fortune possible. My intent then, as now, was to dedicate my time and the majority of my wealth to our philanthropic endeavours."

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Henry and Susan set up their family enterprise, Broadcom, in 1993. Since then they have amassed a net worth of $8.2 billion (£6.1bn). They joined The Giving Pledge in 2011 and in their pledge, they wrote: “We have been honoured to be asked to lend our names to The Giving Pledge campaign. Our lives have been extraordinarily blessed and we have always maintained a firm commitment to give back to our community, our nation and to global causes that have struck our heart and our passions.”

Nathan Blecharczyk is the co-founder of international home rental service Airbnb, and his net worth is estimated to be $11.4 billion (£8.5bn). His wife Elizabeth is a professor in pediatrics. They wrote in their Giving Pledge: "We are humbled to find ourselves at a young age in an extremely privileged place... We feel a responsibility to share our good fortune, and we pledge to dedicate the majority of our wealth over time to philanthropy." In 2021, Airbnb teamed up with resettlement agencies to offer temporary homes for  20,000 refugees. 

 

 

All three cofounders of Airbnb have joined the pledge. Joe Gebbia is the company's chief product officer and has a net worth of $11.7 billion (£8.7bn) according to Forbes. He stated in his Pledge letter: "I want to devote my resources to bring the moment of instantiation, when someone who has an idea sees it become real, to as many people as I can. It can unlock the understanding that they can make things happen, that they can shape the world around them."

The founder of online auction site eBay, Pierre Omidyar has a net worth of $18.2 billion (£13.6bn) according to Forbes. He and his wife Pam wrote in their Pledge statement: "In 2001, I publicly stated that we intend to give away the vast majority of our wealth during our lifetime. Our view is fairly simple. We have more money than our family will ever need. There’s no need to hold onto it when it can be put to use today, to help solve some of the world’s most intractable problems."

Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz has an estimated net worth of $21.2 billion (£15.8bn). He now runs software company Asana. He and his partner Cari Tuna, a former Wall Street Journal Reporter, also run Good Ventures, a philanthropic foundation whose mission is to help humanity thrive. They wrote in their Pledge: "We will begin to identify the causes to which we can make the most leveraged contributions. We will donate and invest with both urgency and mindfulness..."

Michael Bloomberg, the founder of financial information and media business Bloomberg LP, has an estimated net worth of $70 billion (£52.2bn). He wrote in his Giving Pledge: "For decades, I’ve been committed to giving away the vast majority of my wealth to causes that I’m passionate about – and that my children are passionate about. And so I am enthusiastically taking the Giving Pledge, and nearly all of my net worth will be given away in the years ahead or left to my foundation."

The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, investment king Warren Buffett is worth an estimated $107.2 billion (£80bn). He has pledged to give most of this away and joined up with Bill and Melinda to set up The Giving Pledge. He said: "I made a commitment to gradually give all of my Berkshire Hathaway stock to philanthropic foundations. I couldn’t be happier with that decision. Now, Bill and Melinda Gates and I are asking hundreds of rich Americans to pledge at least 50% of their wealth to charity."

Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, paediatrician Priscilla Chan, are thought to be worth $119.9. billion (£89.5bn). In 2015 they pledged: "We salute the Giving Pledge movement, and are proud to be part of its declaration that those who have been fortunate should give back at least half of their wealth during their lifetimes. We'll devote our resources as well as our time and energy."

Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft with fellow Giving Pledger Paul Allen. Bill is is worth $137.3 billion (£102.5bn) according to Forbes, while his ex wife Melinda is worth $6.1 billion (£4.6bn). Despite separating the couple work together to run the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to reduce inequality. In their Pledge they wrote: "We have committed the vast majority of our assets to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help stop preventable deaths... and to tear down other barriers to health and education."

Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft with his high school buddy Bill Gates. He was reportedly worth around $20.3 billion (£15.6bn). He stated in his Giving Pledge commitment: "Many years ago I decided to dedicate the majority of my fortune to philanthropy... Through my giving, I seek to tackle climate change, prevent dangerous epidemics, save Earth’s most iconic species from extinction and restore our oceans to health."

Allen sadly passed away in October last year but not before donating over $2 billion (1.5bn) in his lifetime to various charities. Allen focused most of his philanthropic efforts on science research and founded companies dedicated to research, such as: The Allen Institute for Cell Science, which looks to create new ways to treat diseases. Allen’s philanthropic efforts have been praised universally by other leading researchers and billionaires. Allen’s money now lies with his sister Jody Allen.

Billionaires giving away fortunes to save the world