When billionaires are in the news, the conversation usually starts with who top the rich list. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are often the first names that come up, with their wealth numbers followed closely.But there is another question that rarely gets the same attention. Who actually gives away the most money?A recent Forbes review looks at this side of wealth. And the answer is clear. It is not Musk or Bezos. It is Warren Buffett.
A list based on money already given
This Forbes list is not about big promises or future plans. It looks only at money that has already been donated to charity.Funds that are still sitting in foundations and pledges that have not yet been fulfilled were not counted. The focus was on real donations that have already reached people and causes.The list includes only living US citizens, with net worth figures taken as of January 2026.
Why Warren Buffett leads
Warren Buffett has donated a total of $68.3 billion in his lifetime. This is nearly one third of his total wealth.Even after stepping away from his company at the age of 95, Buffett continues to donate billions every year. Most of his giving supports healthcare work and efforts to reduce poverty.Much of his money goes to the Gates Foundation and to charities run by his family. He is known for giving regularly and quietly, without seeking the spotlight.
Others who feature high on the list
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates follow next, with combined donations of $52.6 billion. Their work largely focuses on health and poverty-related causes.MacKenzie Scott ranks third, having donated $26.4 billion, which is close to half of her wealth. Her donations mainly support education and economic fairness.Michael Bloomberg has given $25.4 billion, backing causes linked to climate change, public health and education.George Soros has donated $24 billion, much of it towards democracy and human rights efforts.
Where some of the richest names stand
This is where the list becomes interesting.Elon Musk has donated around $0.5 billion so far, which is a very small share of his wealth. Larry Page has given about $0.1 billion over his lifetime.Jeff Bezos and Sergey Brin have donated more money in absolute terms, but this still works out to around 2 percent of their total wealth.Larry Ellison has donated roughly $1 billion, again a small fraction compared to what he owns.These figures show that having enormous wealth does not always mean giving a large share of it away.
What the list really tells us
If there is one clear takeaway from the list, it is this. Having more money does not automatically make someone more generous. Some billionaires rank higher simply because they have given away a bigger share of what they own. Warren Buffett may not always be in the news, but on the question of giving back to the society, very few come close to him.Thumb image: X
