College Voices
MacKenzie Bezos Pledges Half her Wealth to Charity
In an effort for MacKenzie Bezos, to make significant philanthropic investments with her growing wealth, Ms. Bezos has joined the list of the wealthy who have committed to the Giving Pledge organization by promising half of her fortune to charity. She announced her generous donation on Tuesday. Her fellow pledgers include Michael R. Bloomberg, Richard Branson, David and Claudia Harding, and Brian and Tegan Acton.
Though the Giving Pledge is not a binding legal contract, it is a moral obligation that motivates others to pledge as well. MacKenzie Bezos is aware of the income inequality and wishes to do her societal duty to make it better.
Warren E. Buffett and Mr. Gates and Melinda E. Gates started the Giving Pledge in 2010. According to the Giving Pledge website, the organization was created to promote an atmosphere that draws people into philanthropy. There have been 204 individuals, couples and families who have supported the organization through large donations since the organization was created. The Giving Pledge went global in 2013 with the addition of signatories from countries in Europe and Asia.
Ms. Bezos is the executive director of the peer-to-peer anti-bullying organization, Bystander Revolution. Following her divorce from Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, Ms. Bezos became one of the richest people in the world. She is now ranked 22nd on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
With her fortune being worth an estimated $36.6 billion, Ms. Bezos has made huge strides past her ex-husband, Mr. Bezos, in her efforts to donate to charity. According to the Giving Pledge, Ms. Bezos has also donated to cancer and Alzheimer’s research in the past.
By: Sydney Murphy
