Which billionaires have given the most money to charity?

Where does all that billionaire money go?

When you accumulate an astronomical fortune, what happens when it is time to give back? According to recent Forbes data tracking lifetime philanthropy, a handful of prominent American billionaires lead the charge in major charitable giving, reshaping how massive wealth impacts society.

At the very top of the list is Warren Buffett, whose monumental lifetime contributions have reached an estimated $68.3 billion. Much of his giving flows through multi-billion-dollar chunks of stock directed toward global health and poverty initiatives. Following closely behind are Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, whose combined lifetime giving hits $52.6 billion, largely channeled through their foundation to tackle worldwide health crises and educational gaps.

Meanwhile, MacKenzie Scott has redefined rapid-fire philanthropy with a staggering $26.4 billion given away through trust-based, no-strings-attached donations to underfunded grassroots organizations. Other heavy hitters on the Forbes ledger include Michael Bloomberg and George Soros, rounding out a tier of donors investing heavily in everything from climate action and public health to civil rights.