Philanthropy is an amazing gift to mankind. Throughout history, successful men and women have donated large portions of their fortunes to those less fortunate, improving lives and raising the standard of living for millions of people. In addition to being a gift, philanthropy is also a reflection of the donor’s passions and interests. While some philanthropists might donate large amounts of money to the arts to found museums and theaters, others might give to scientific and medical pursuits. The following individuals represent some of the greatest philanthropists of the modern era and exemplify how kindness and generosity can change the world.

Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the five wealthiest billionaires in the world. Famous for his frugality, Buffett is also noted for being one of the original founders of the Giving Pledge. Buffett conceived the Giving Pledge with fellow billionaire Bill Gates in response to the financial crisis of 2008. In the agreement, billionaires promise to give away at least half of their fortunes to philanthropic pursuits. In total, Buffett has given away about $25 billion, most of which went to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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