Paul Newman was the most generous celebrity of 2008.
The late ‘Cool Hand Luke’ actor – who passed away last September – donated more money to charity than any other US star, giving a huge $21m (€14.2m) to various initiatives and campaigns, according to a list compiled by The Giving Back Fund for Parade magazine.
Also included on the list of most generous celebrities are Angelina Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt, Mel Gibson and Oprah Winfrey.
Jolie and Pitt spent an estimated $13.4m (€9m) on good causes including a health clinic in Ethiopia and the redevelopment of New Orleans last year.
The couple also donated $1m (€680,000) to help children caught up in the Iraq conflict, through education programmes via their Jolie-Pitt foundation.
Upon donating the money, United Nations ambassador Jolie said: “These educational support programmes for children of conflict are the best way to help them heal.”
Pitt added: “We hope to encourage others to give to these great organisations.“
Charity/Philanthropy
SOS Children’s Village
• x05 SOS Children’s Village – Amman, Jordan (10/01/09).
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were invited to make a special visit to the SOS Children’s Village in Amman, Jordan, by Her Majesty Queen Noor. While it was Brad Pitt’s first visit to an SOS Children’s Village, Angelina Jolie was glad to return.
Children and mothers of the SOS Children’s Village in Amman were overjoyed to receive the visit of a very special friend on 1 October: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie had decided to drop by again, this time in the company of her partner, the actor Brad Pitt. While Ms. Jolie had already visited the village in 2003, committing to covering the running costs of one family house, it was the first time Mr. Pitt had ever been to an SOS Children’s Village.
Read more/discuss. thanks La_miga.
Brad visits Syria for UNHCR
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie called Friday on the international community not to forget the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees who remain in exile despite a relative improvement in the security situation in their homeland.
Read more/discuss. Thanks Elodie & Gabriella.
• x03 Visiting refugees for UNHCR – Damascus, Syria (10/02/09)
Clinton Global Initiative 2009
• x60 Clinton Global Initiative – New York City, NY (09/24/09). Doesn’t he look absolutely gorgeous?
