Indian pioneer industrialist Jamsetji Tata has been named the world’s top philanthropist of the last 100 years, as per a report prepared by Hurun Research and EdelGive Foundation. Jamsetji Tata, who is regarded as the “Father of Indian Industry”, donated $102.4 billion, emerging as the top philanthropist of the century, ahead of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.
Anas Rahman Junaid, Managing Director and Chief Researcher of Hurun India said: “It is a proud moment to see an Indian top the 2021 EdelGive Hurun Philanthropists of the Century.” The group’s philanthropic activities are now overseen by its Chairman Emeritus Ratan N Tata. Tata, who started his endowments as early as 1892, donated mainly for healthcare and education needs from Tata Sons’ income. Jamsetji Tata died in 1904. The total philanthropic value of Tata Group is made up of 66 per cent of Tata Sons, estimated at $100 billion, solely based on the value of listed entities. The only other Indian in the list is Azim Premji of Wipro, who has virtually given his entire fortune of $22 billion for philanthropic causes. A majority 39 people in the list are from the US, followed by the UK (5) and China (3). Total 37 of the donors are dead while only 13 of them are alive.
Three individuals added more than $50 billion in a single year, led by Elon Musk with $151 billion, on the back of the rise of e-cars, whilst e-commerce billionaires Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Colin Huang of Pinduoduo added $50 billion each.
