Richard Branson Will Give Away Half Of His $4 Billion Fortune To Charity

Richard Branson has to be the coolest billionaire on the face of the planet. This guy does it all. He runs the Virgin empire, which covers pretty much everything including trips to space. Branson is one of the richest men on the face of the planet and he's about to give half of his $4 billion fortune to charity.

Branson is the latest one-percenter to sign The Giving Pledge. The Giving Pledge is a movement started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to encourage billionaires to donate at least half of their money to worthwhile causes. In their pledge letter, Sir Richard and his wife Joan said they wanted to use cash from the company to create a healthy peaceful world for future generations to enjoy.

So money doesn't bring happiness to Richard Branson? The answer is no.

“"Stuff" really is not what brings happiness. Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matters. Happily our children, who will be our principal heirs, agree with me on this. As and when we take monies out of the Virgin Group of companies the majority of it will be invested in entrepreneurial approaches to help make a difference in the world.”

Branson is the first non-U.S. batch of signatories to join the list. Other prominent pledgers include Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerberg, George Lucas and Ted Turner.

[via The Daily Mail]