Forbes: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Angelina Jolie donate $58 million to charity over in 12 months
By jarespond - Posted on May 12th, 2006
Tagged: News and politics
• Society
• Economics
• Broad prosperity
• Shared responsibility
• Better future
<Source: E!Online>
At times in the past, I have come down fairly hard on news stations featuring celebrities' daily activities as "daily news." But there are times when it is appropriate to discuss the daily actions of famous people, even in a magazine such as Forbes, when said actions amount to $58 million dollars in charitable donations given by three people.
That statistic becomes even more impressive once one realizes that Oprah Winfrey, love her or hate her, donated $52 million dollars in 2005 alone to charitable organizations and functions. The other two celebrities filling out the other $6 million are Steven Spielberg ($3 million) and Angelina Jolie ($3 million +). It has become a cliche of American society that "to whom much is given, much is expected" (possibly because so many people have ignored the sentiment), and many progressive thinkers (myself included) routinely attack the elements of society that give so much money to entertainers and so little to people such as school teachers, who are responsible for raising generations of youth.
But it's also important to recognize that there are some highly paid people who don't hesitate to give their money back to others. These are not people paying a tax on their income (though they obviously do that too), these are not people being backed into a corner and "forking over" a couple of dollars. Orpah Winfrey could have kept $52 million dollars for her own entertainment, but she chose to give it away to people who don't have as much. And I think that's pretty impressive.
That's pretty cool
I admire rich people that donate to poor. I admire them even in I know that some are doing it only for publicity. What really counts is the result, which is a very positive one, usually.
How nice of them
i love celebrities that donate their time and money to charity!! Oprah is an amazing person b/c she gives soo much of her time and money to charities.
im going off on a tangent here: but why do we pay our actors and actresses so much money? i don't have a problem with paying actors who appear in oscar worthy films b/c acting is an art. but hilary duff, a million dollars per movie...seriously? Seriously?! a million dollars for some crappy, virtually no plot line movie?
i agree-- I think that the way actors and actresses are paid is ridiculous. I'll add, though, that the way we pay them, they should be giving millions to charity. What the heck do they need all that money for? Another pair of red high heels to go with the other 500 pairs they already have in the closet?
Although it is not news worthy, there are a countless number of people in this world that give of themselves to charity wholeheartedly everyday. But because they are not raking in the 7-10 figures, their kindness goes unnoticed. You do not have to be a celebrity to give to charity. You do not even have to give a financial contribution. Anyone can give money. How much more does it mean if you give of yourself (your time)?
Wait, how much do they make a MONTH again? Isn't this just pocket change to them?
thats great they should
I won't argue that Oprea doe's alot of, no an amazing amount of good for society, but to call her a Saint is ridculouls. I saw in the paper that they were calling her the next Mother Teresa, guess what Oprea is making more money off all the chariteys that she is doing then I and most of you will make in a life time. She is a good women and helps alot of people but if she is making money off helping people she shouldn't be even closely regared to a saint or the next Mother Teresa
I love to hear that rich people are giving money to charity even more they are giving their time. What normal people don't realize is tht they are doing something. They are constantly criticized for doign this and that. But what do YOU care? U should look at it for what it is. I don't think Oprah or Angelina need publicity!!
Some things are just ridiculous.. FInd the joy in this act, don't look at what's i yourselves of hatred and envy. They are people just like us and whether they are famous or not is not an issue. It actually tells us that those people are grateful for what they jhave accomplished and are showing it.
I admire that. I hope this goes on and on as much as possible.
Try to help tham instead of losing time on scorning them. They are worth it. And for their success to be that wide, it's because they deserve it.
If one has a message, I think one must be famous to be able to be a role model for others. One must be famous to make a greater impact if possible.
i think that its wounderful that they are donating all that money to people or charity's that need it way more then she does but like someone else said why the hell do celebrities need that much money???? people are living and going without all this stuff and they dont give a damn! Go oprah
i love people who care 4 others like that an d i love angelina jolie
Hi,i'm really in need money right now.Please help me i only need $8,000.00,i really appreciate your kindness.I'm a poor person please reply to my email masayu18@yahoo.com.Thank you.
Well, I say live and let live. I'm sure all the generous actors that donate to charity have gone thru hard times themselves at least one time or another to get where they are at now. If I had lots of money to give away to needy people I would. I follow the golden rule "treat people how you want to be treated". I'm trying to finish my degree. The only obsticle that is making it hard to finish is not having transportion. Is there anyone out there that is willing to donate a running car?
Anjelina is so cool<3 Tina