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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask why more rich people don't follow Bill Gates' example ....

49 replies

suebfg · 28/01/2012 20:55

and use their wealth to achieve amazing things? His quest is to eradicate common illnesses in the developing world, has already donated £17 billion and has pledged to give 95% of his fortune away in his lifetime. What an inspiration.

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MrsTerryPratchett · 28/01/2012 20:58

Because a lot of them are rich because they are grasping, mean and have no morals. I'm feeling U today Grin

tiredfeet · 28/01/2012 21:01

I believe he is by no means the only one actually, but some just do it quietly. Not criticising him for letting it be known and setting an example. But others do so as discreetly as they can. (I have first hand knowledge of some, through my work). I agree with you though, how amazing to have that money and be able to use it as a force for good

tiredfeet · 28/01/2012 21:01

I believe he is by no means the only one actually, but some just do it quietly. Not criticising him for letting it be known and setting an example. But others do so as discreetly as they can. (I have first hand knowledge of some, through my work). I agree with you though, how amazing to have that money and be able to use it as a force for good

Original poster
suebfg · 28/01/2012 21:02

It's so short sighted though isn't it? I mean anything we acquire in terms of material goods isn't really ours in that we have to leave it behind when we die. Whereas you can change the world with the things you do.

Maybe I've had too much vino - hic

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Original poster
suebfg · 28/01/2012 21:03

And if I win the Lotto tonight, I promise I'll be generous with it.

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StableButDeluded · 28/01/2012 21:06

I often wonder this, too. I can't imagine having billions and billions of pounds, more than you could ever, ever need and not using it to do wonderful things.

When I daydream about winning the lottery, the best bits are always when I think what I could do for my family, or someone I knew who needed help financially to change their life for the better-I'd love to just donate money anonymously and know I'd made a real difference in the world.

After I've paid my mortage off and bought a decent car first though!

Original poster
suebfg · 28/01/2012 21:09

Yes, the happiest Lotto winners I saw were an elderly couple who were using their winnings to send needy children on holidays and days out. They were genuinely enjoying their wealth but I don't think they'd even moved house or if they did, it was a relatively modest move.

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bibbitybobbityhat · 28/01/2012 21:11

I completely agree.

When I really let my imagination go off into the realms of utter fantasy, I think to myself how wonderful it would be to have an income of £500,000 a year.

As a family we would be seriously wealthy and have every luxury I could imagine.

I honestly believe that if I had more than that I would give it ALL away, every single penny.

And I just cannot understand why more SERIOULY wealthy people don't do it. And not that they just don't do it, but they do all within their power to earn even more money (David Beckham am looking at you for tarting yourself around in your underpants).

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 28/01/2012 21:12

all I can say is the guys who I know who have come into SH*T loads of money, they have all done amazing things.
I look at Elton John, he spends loads of flowers and on other things BUT he also hasn't taken any royalties from any of his records since about 1985 it has all been donated to charity.
The Beckhams, have loads of money and they, very quietly and privately give lots of money away to charity.
some people are quiet about it , some shout about it.

NiceViper · 28/01/2012 21:13

Bill gates is in a different league of richness! And the US has a much stronger tradition of public philanthropy to UK in general at the moment.

It was much more evident in Victorian Britain than it is now. But that doesn't mean it's absent. The Duke of Westminster's latest gift is the latest example, but you don't have to google much to find other examples, like the Beckham foundation. Or visit a place like Great Ormond Street and see how many units are named for benefactors, or go to the Tate, where they have boards of subscribers, or perhaps the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, or the intervention at St Mary's school in Battersea. It's happening, it just isn't celebrated here.

SiamoNellaMerda · 28/01/2012 21:14

But you can't possibly know what David Beckham does or doesn't do philanthropically! You can't know what anyone does can you? So the question is academic really - all you know is that Bill Gates does what he does and he tells us about it.

NiceViper · 28/01/2012 21:18

What the Beckham's do

Original poster
suebfg · 28/01/2012 21:20

I know that there are others who do give to charity, as I'm sure there are those who don't give a penny.

The ones I also struggle with are those that do give like the Beckhams and the Cruises, but seem to live a ridiculously extravagant lifestyle e.g. it is said that Suri Cruise has a wardrobe worth millions of dollars. That doesn't sit right with me.

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bibbitybobbityhat · 28/01/2012 21:20

Lol at the Beckham defenders.

Mirage · 28/01/2012 21:21

I know about half a dozen very very rich people,and all of them have set up charitable foundations,or regularly donate huge amounts to good causes.They just don't feel the need to shout about it to all and sundry.

GrimmaTheNome · 28/01/2012 21:26

I think Warren Buffet has signed up quite a lot of very rich Americans to serious philanthropy - Gates isn't the only one.

But yes, he's an inspiration. Not only how much he's giving, but they are managing the projects sensibly not just throwing squillions around.

If he's left his kids half his brains and his moral character then he's given them a fine inheritance.

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 28/01/2012 21:26

why Bibbity?

Kendodd · 28/01/2012 21:29

Bill Gates is in a different league of richness, he also seems to be (with a few exceptions) in a different league of giving. I don't imagine Sir Fred Goodwin will be donating 95% of his money to charity.

Original poster
suebfg · 28/01/2012 21:32

Maybe we have the capacity to make a difference ourselves if we all joined together.

Yes. maybe I need to stop the vino now.

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Bluestocking · 28/01/2012 21:34

So why are these very rich, very generous people so astonishingly quiet about all the good work they do? Surely it would set a good example to other rich people and make the rich look slightly less greedy and self-centred if they were a little more forthcoming about their good works?

Original poster
suebfg · 28/01/2012 21:36

Agree 100% bluestocking - I think it would encourage others to do the same or at least show them up

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NiceViper · 28/01/2012 21:37

Perhaps they want to avoid people lol-ing? Or accusations of self-aggrandisement?

ElaineBenes · 28/01/2012 21:39

Or maybe realising just how much money they really have. Bill Gates has given away 95% of his money - kudos to him and the Gates foundation really is very good - but he's still incredibly and fantastically rich on the 5% left!

BigHairyGruffalo · 28/01/2012 21:41

You only have to read mn threads to know how judgy people can be about other peoples' charitable donations. Imagine if it was all public?!

If they gave money to an animal charity, it would be 'Why are they prioritising animals over humans?', if they donate to children with cancer, 'Why are they donating to a 'popular' cause and not something like a burns unit or drug offenders?' and then you have the 'Why are they donating to people in the Western world when they could make such a difference in Africa?!'.

Charitable donations are best done privately!

QuintessentialyHollow · 28/01/2012 21:42

Because most rich people go and buy themselves 30k cars on a whim rather than share the love.