12 most generous millionaires - why they give money?

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, Jon Bon Jovi, Marc Benioff and 8 Americans, not pitying acquired by spending billions to charity: what they think about themselves and their donations

American magazine Forbes has spent summit on philanthropy - it the richest Americans of Forbes list were invited 400 arrived 186 billionaires, not regretting wasting acquired good for charity. At half-time the summit of the 12 most generous billionaires of America gathered in the room of Trustees of the New York Public Library, where during the 15-minute photo shoot a group photo was taken. The combined wealth of people imprinted in the photo -. Astronomical $ 126 billion What makes them to give money to charity in such quantities? Forbes collected an explanation of the 12 most generous billionaires.

Jon Bon Jovi, №25 in the Forbes list of the world's most famous vliyatelnyh

"The best charity implies reciprocity", - said the rocker. In New Jersey, he opened the Soul Kitchen restaurant with an exquisite interior (elegant tablecloth, silverware ...) and an unusual approach: poor clients it offer a feasible work for food. A rich serves a menu without prices - they will pay as much as they see fit. "We try to make people stronger, because they feel a part of something," - says the singer.

Warren Buffett, №2 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 44 billion

"Imagine baseball star Alex Rodriguez: It can lubricate the two-thirds of strokes but a third discourage the glory. Similarly, in charity: you should not be concerned about the fact that one out of five, two of the five, or even four of the five pans do not work out the way you expected. If you work alone, and you will change the lives of millions, you will feel very good, "- says Buffett. He spends on charity to 99% of his wealth, he owns the largest single donation in 2012 - $ 1, 5 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

David Rubenstein, co-founder of Carlyle Group, №139 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 2, 9 billion

"My theory is simple charity. First - selfishness. None of those who donate money, do not say that he felt awful afterwards. On the contrary, you feel better. And when you feel better, you'll live longer, because your emotional health is better. Second - you can really help somebody. And third, because you can get there faster in paradise. Recently I can not prove it, but why risk it for nothing? "- says Rubinstein. Not long ago, he donated $ 7, 5 million for the restoration of the 169-foot Washington Monument, damaged by the earthquake.

Marc Benioff, №277 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 2 billion

The creator Marc Benioff Salesforce earns a lot. And willing to spend for charity. Together with his wife Lynn, they donated $ 100 million to build a children's hospital at the University of California in San Francisco.

Marc Andreessen and Laura Arriladzha-Andreessen, Marc - №10 in the Forbes list of the best venture investors

He and his wife Laura Arriladzha-Andreessen donated $ 27, 5 million at the Center ambulance at Stanford. It promises to give half the proceeds from the capital investment for philanthropy throughout life.

Oprah Winfrey, №139 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 2, 7 billion

Oprah Winfrey opened at his own expense a school for girls in South Africa. On the first issue, she climbed onto the stage and told graduates of: "For many years, people ask me why I do not have children. Now I know the answer. "

Steve Case, founder of AOL, №331 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 1, 5 billion

"There are three different ways to give. The first - to give money by writing checks that important. The second - to give their time and passion for the cause. And the third - to give up their reputation by using his connections and trying to connect people "- Steve Case convinced. Together with his wife Jean, he started a foundation that tries to link the Internet and social networks with the charity.

Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates. Gates - №1 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 59 billion

"The best thing - to get people to look around. If you push someone to go to Africa and see a number of incredible beauty and horror of what happens to children, such as malaria, this will change them. We have to go and look, "- gives the recipe charity Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They donated to charity $ 28 billion.

Leon Black, №107 in the list of the richest Americans, the state of $ 3, 4 billion

"5 years ago, my wife was diagnosed with cancer. It turned out it is misdiagnosed. His experience was terrible. But then we decided that we should invest in the study of cancer, "- shared his experience of Leon Black. In addition to donations for medical research, they wrote a check for $ 48 million to create a center of visual arts in college at Dartmouth.

Peter Peterson, №1119, the state $ 1 billion in the list of world billionaires

"Desire only that which is in you a passion. Because projects you invest not only financial capital. But also human capital. And the enthusiasm and energy to increase the effectiveness of what you do, "- said Peter Peterson, one of the founders of Blackstone Group.