We look at some of the most popular names who have donated millions of dollars to fight the coronavirus pandemic worldwide over the past months.
The coronavirus pandemic is one of the greatest tragedies that have befallen humanity in modern time, if not by sheer death count, than certainly by the way it has impacted the lives of millions around the world. With the virus still spreading, countless charities, medical organizations and others are fighting to push it back and that would not be possible without money injections from various sources.
World governments and organizations such as the World Bank and IMF have done the bulk of the financing, but the world’s rich and famous have pitched in as well. Some of the world’s richest men and women have donated tens or even hundreds of millions to coronavirus related causes and you can find the list of names and their donations here.
Apart from the mega-rich names on the list, we bring you 7 more names of rich and famous you know from the world of acting, sports and TV who have also pitched in with massive donations for the good cause:
- George Clooney
George Clooney is one of the most famous actors in the world and the England based superstar has donated over $1.000.000 in coronavirus related contributions so far. George’s wife Amal helped him choose the causes and collect the money, which has gone to several different causes.
NHS was the first of the donations made by the couple, designated to help fight coronavirus in Italy’s Lombardy region and Lebanon, Amal’s home country. The rest of the funds that were donated by the couple went towards organizations in the film industry, helping actors and other film makers in these troublesome times.
- Angelina Jolie
It could hardly happen that a major crisis happens in the world and Angelina Jolie is not among those helping out. The Hollywood diva has donated approximately $1.000.000 to combat child hunger, a cause she has always been adamantly fighting for.
The 44 year old actress recognizes the problem of child hunger and malnutrition worldwide and even in the USA and has thus decided to give her contributions to the No Kid Hungry, an organization providing meals for low income children in the USA.
- Roger Federer
Moving away from the movie screens, we can see that sports superstars are also doing their part. One of the world’s best tennis players and the holder of numerous records has given more than $1.000.000 in charitable contributions related to coronavirus so far, along with his wife Mirka.
Federer, who has won an amazing 20 grand slam titles, used the social media to invite his fans and all others to add to his contributions and help those who are in need the most. Federer has been a great philanthropist throughout his career, so this comes as no surprise.
- Lionel Messi
Arguably the world’s best football player, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi decided to place his donations back home, to Argentina. His Lionel Messi Foundation donated EUR 500.000 to the Argentinian Juntos por la Salud Argentina campaign, dedicated to fighting the vicious disease in this country.
Messi’s donation was used to purchase personal protective equipment for the healthcare professionals working with infected patients. Knowing the toll that coronavirus has had among doctors and nurses worldwide, this contribution from Messi is sure to make him even more beloved in his home country.
- U2
The popular Irish rock band U2 have been at the forefront of the coronavirus fight along with various other musical groups. They contributed over EUR 10.000.000 for the same cause that Messi did, the purchase of PPE for healthcare professionals. U2 members worked in association with Avolon to help raise awareness and funds for this particular cause.
- Rihanna
Another superfamous singer who decided to do something about coronavirus is Rihanna, whose Clara Lionel Foundation gave away $5.000.000 in contributions to both local and international organizations. The funds have been split up between local food banks in America and international PPE acquisition, vaccine development and more.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
Schwarzenegger’s career needs no introduction as one of the most famous Hollywood actors and former California governor is a name everyone knows. Popular Arnie pledged $1.000.000 to coronavirus relief funds and started up a GoFundMe campaign for another $5.000.000, promoting it and asking others to help with contributions of their own.