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Usually, when we think of extremely rich people such as millionaires or even billionaires, we don't imagine the best humans on this planet. In fact, most commonly we think of out-of-touch people who likely did not do the best possible thing to acquire their wealth. 

But just as we shouldn’t generalize other social groups, we shouldn’t generalize overly rich people as well. So, let's take a look at the list of rich people who are deemed to be philanthropic by internet folks. And let's see if this list changes our perception of them.

More info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Harris Rosen offered free daycare for anyone in the small down of Tangelo Florida and ended up offering to fund college tuition for any tangelo resident to go to a Florida public university. In 20 years the graduation rate went from 25% to nearly 100% and the crime rate was cut in half.

vroomery , WUCF TV Report

Final score:
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Surenu
Surenu
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's almost like when people are given a chance to succeed legally they will prefer this over crime. Shocking, I know.

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#2

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Keanu Reeves

istoOi , Wikipedia Report

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#3

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Dolly Parton

garage_too_small , dollyparton Report

Final score:
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Content Wombat
Content Wombat
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why isn't there an explanation of how Dolly Parton made the world a better place?

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For more insight about rich people's philanthropy, Bored Panda talked to Kristin Wright from Global Giving. 

She shared that their organization has been fortunate enough to collaborate with people of various financial backgrounds, including extremely rich people. One of them was the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “This powerful partnership allowed us to launch our Learn Library, a widely used resource offering tools and guidance for people who want to make a positive difference globally.”

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#4

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Iowa Carpenter Dale Schroeder Saved $3 Million to Put 33 Strangers Through College

Now_Wait-4-Last_Year , Dale Schroeder Report

Final score:
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martymcmatrix
martymcmatrix
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this the man who therefore owned only a single pair of jeans? 🤔

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#5

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Mackenzie Scott, ex-wife of Bezos. Nothing but charities since the divorce, donating A LOT of the money she got from the divorce.

thoguht , NBC News Report

Final score:
175points
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Tabitha
Tabitha
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He lost his soul and she kept hers. Divorce was inevitable.

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#6

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers I work for The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Michael has done a hell of a good job mobilizing support for this disease. Over $1 billion raised. Edit for clarity: "This disease" was me referring to Parkinson's. MJF was diagnosed at 29 years old and he is now 62.

GNA1278 , Alan Light Report

Final score:
163points
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Miss Frankfurter
Miss Frankfurter
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing research for a disease that affects so many more people and at a younger age these days.

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Kristin said that at their organization they believe that philanthropy is driven by a desire to make a difference, which they consider to be a universal human trait. “We've so often observed that the motivation for giving transcends wealth. From millionaires to those who donate a few dollars, the underlying motivator is often a sense of purpose and a desire to contribute positively to the world.” She also mentioned that there are scientific studies which suggest that altruism is hardwired in humans.

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The public relations manager noted that initiatives backed by billionaires can have a big impact: “These initiatives can bring about significant changes in various sectors, such as education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.” 
#7

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Chef Jose Andres started World Central Kitchen which goes to areas that have been hit by natural disasters, etc to help feed the residents.


They literally have boots on the ground within hours of events happening-all over the world.

vk2786 , U.S. Department of Agriculture Report

Final score:
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Starbelly Eleven
Starbelly Eleven
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love World Central Kitchen! They even feed government workers during furloughs, you can go to one of his restaurants and get a free meal.

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#8

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Number one wealthiest man in the entire world, Andrew Carnegie, is responsible for creation of public libraries in USA that we all take for granted today.

Before, people had their own books and it was mostly wealthy or upper middle class people. Working class had little to none and good portion are illiterate. Best way to help people to be successful is knowledge.

zenmaster75 , Wikipedia Report

Final score:
143points
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Soton_Sherpa
Soton_Sherpa
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just the US. You'd be hard pushed to find a village in the central belt of Scotland that doesn't have a Carnegie Hall or Library!

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#9

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Gary Sinise . A true hero for people. His foundation raised $300 million for Wounded Soldiers, first responders and their families

Bednarikfan , Marco Metzler Report

Final score:
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Kristin also added that everyone’s philanthropy matters, no matter their financial situation: “Every donation — no matter how small — contributes to a larger collective effort when it comes to making the world a better place. The power of thousands of donors making small to medium-sized gifts was on full display during our record-breaking Giving Tuesday event last week, where we raised nearly $3.7 million from over 15,000 donations. This achievement highlighted not just the power of collective giving, but also the spirit of community and shared purpose that unites donors of all capacities.”

Have you ever done any philanthropic deeds yourself? Or maybe you have another rich person in mind who has done this? Don't shy away from sharing your thoughts with us in the comments!
#10

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Milton Hershey. Not only did he build an entire town and give his workers housing that has blossomed into one of the highest income areas in the U.S, he also founded the Milton Hershey School, a k-12 school for underprivileged children that is funded by 1/3 of the revenue of the Hershey Company every year. Hershey, PA. also has one of the lowest crime rates in America, one of the best public school systems, and a top 5 children’s hospital in the world. The man built a candy empire and made sure all of the proceeds were funneled right back into the town and the people that worked for him. As an added bonus, he reduced his own earnings to make sure no workers were laid off during the Great Depression.

chunking_putts , Wikipedia Report

Final score:
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Surenu
Surenu
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could say this was... sweet. I'll see myself out.

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#11

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Bill Gates is donating millions and millions for research into "orphan's diseases". Diseases with just a few hundred or thousand cases worldwide, so Big Pharma says "naw, we're not doing any research - the market is too small, no money in it for us".

That's where the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation steps in and says " we finance it. Go!"

Hats off! I feel nothing but respect

whatstefansees , Joi Ito Report

Final score:
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Mario Alberto
Mario Alberto
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So far he has donated more than 50 billion and has said he will gradually give away 99% of his wealth both during and after his lifetime.

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#12

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Mariska Hargitay with her work to end the backlog of testing r**e kits as well as all the work with her Joyful Heart Foundation that she’s done.

mmmackkk , Ted Eytan Report

Final score:
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Kara
Kara
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she became certified as a r*pe counselor long before she founded the Joyful Heart foundation after real life victims started reaching out to her only a few seasons into SVU. she also helps victims of domestic abuse.

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#13

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers A historical British millionaire, James Smithson, donated 100,000 gold Crowns (the equivalent of $500,000 at the time) when he died in 1838, to the US people specifically for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge." Congress kept trying to come up with ways to spend it, which were all blocked by former president John Quincy Adams, who was post-presidency the elected congressman from Massachusetts. JQA kept saying the vision to use the gift was too shortsighted. What ultimately he endorsed was the formation of the Smithsonian Institution that remains a center of learning and knowledge nearly 200 years later.

Musical-Lungs , Wikipedia Report

Final score:
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#14

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Jon Bon Jovi. I love what he is doing with his restaurants for the homeless. It’s not just about food, it’s also about treating people with dignity.

Pearl Jam. A few years ago they did a series of shows where all the money went to help the homeless in Seattle. I believe they raised about $73 million dollars just from those show alone. And they have done lots of other charity work.

pktrekgirl , Earl McGehee Report

Final score:
105points
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#15

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Jimmy Carter has a net worth of 10 million, does that count? Eradicated guinea worm from Africa.

torryvonspurks , Ben Baligad Report

Final score:
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Marno C.
Marno C.
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He also did a lot of work for Habitat for Humanity and repeatedly served as a peace envoy for various diplomatic missions.

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#16

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Yvon Chouinard- Founder of Patagonia. Chose to donate the billion dollar company to an environmental trust rather than list the business publicly.

MoeTheCentaur , Sam Beebe Report

Final score:
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Kristen Bagan
Kristen Bagan
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting... The Holdfast Collective a 501-c-4, allowing them to embark on political ventures with the "charity" money. This means they will have incredible political influence... But yeah, he donated it all to charity. /s

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#17

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Peter Seidler. He was the owner of the San Diego Padres, but put a lot of money and more importantly his own time to fight homelessness in our community. He would walk the streets and buy food and talk to the homeless (even during the pandemic) to learn how the money in his foundations (lucky duck foundation) would better serve them. He made the city leaders meet every Tuesday morning to discuss how they could help the homeless in San Diego. He not only donated millions of dollars, he was active in understanding how that money was spent to best help who needed it most. Every interview I ever heard the man speak, he would bring up these efforts instead of only talking about baseball or the fact he was battling cancer three times over.

Also it was like having a fan own our baseball team and he dressed like one too. He will be sorely missed in our community.

phicks_law , KPBS Public Media Report

Final score:
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Hugh Cookson
Hugh Cookson
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good man. If it was me, I'd set up / build apartment complexes or small villages, staff them with well paid and motivated support staff with medical centres that concentrate on the individuals mental, physical and general wellbeing with no financial charges until they are ready to move on. The trick to making this work would be to ensure that before anyone moves on to another place they are mentally, financially and physically able to do so and are able to sustain themselves. Personally, I'd like to found a village / complex for the older, active population for mutual support, entertainment and general enjoyment of each others company (that was astonishingly badly worded but I've been awake since 3.30am and am tired !!)

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#18

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Mark Cuban for sure. What he's doing to get people affordable prescription medication is changing the game

bherman1325 , Gage Skidmore Report

Final score:
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Hugh Cookson
Hugh Cookson
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for him. Sadly, this should NOT be down to an individual, no matter how rich, philanthropic and forward thinking, it should be down to the government, paid for by a minimal increase in tax and distributed equally throughout the population ; before anyone says it won't work (or, shock, horror, that it might be a Socialist / Commie idea (frankly, if you think that you need to do two things, 1). Read about stuff, you'd be amazed, and 2). Pull your head out of your a**e)) , it has been working perfectly well, efficiently and with minimal impact on wealth for the majority of the population in most of Europe for over 70 years. The healthcare system in the USA is basically a scam, run and controlled by a few big players (who at best are dubious and at worst, corrupt) who will fight tooth and nail to hold on to their influence, power and market share by any means at their disposal. Over to you people of the USA, good luck.

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#19

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers John Green and Hank Green.

They are millionaires that have used their social position to raise thousands among thousands among thousands of dollars for charity (Hank's Cancer socks), support tuberculosis efforts (John Green spoke to the UN), improve the health system in Sierra Leone, and more alongside curating an educational YouTube channel that helps millions of students (crash course).

azurdit3 , Gage Skidmore Report

Final score:
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BlueBlazer999
BlueBlazer999
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH. Crash course. I was wondering why I recognized them.

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#20

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Shahzada Dawood from Pakistan, who passed away in the ill-fated submersible "Titan," with his son & 3 others, had been supercharitable with his money. Free treatment for kidney and liver ailments, access to education for underprivileged children, financial contribution to environmental causes, science & technology, research in these fields, and so much more.

Wonderful_Low_1325 , The Dawood Foundation Report

Final score:
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the sixthgirl
the sixthgirl
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is kind of amazing. I never saw a single mention of this in all the coverage that disaster got.

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#21

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Sal Khan of Khan Academy. There should be more like him in the universe.

jeffyen , Wikipedia Report

Final score:
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James016
James016
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Khan Academy and Khan Academy Kids apps are astounding.

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#22

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Chuck Feeney.

The former owner of the duty free stores at airports.

He gave away billions and only has like a few mil to his name.

Neither-Stable7378 , Forbes Report

Final score:
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#23

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Paul Newman

pl2303 , Truus, Bob & Jan too! Report

Final score:
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#24

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Warren Buffett I think out of all the rich people he's the one giving up the most money

Sr_Raisin_bran , Aaron Friedman Report

Final score:
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BarkingSquirell
BarkingSquirell
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pledged to give away half his fortune, mostly via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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#25

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Rihanna did more for Barbados than any government

Demrilo , DWNews Recent Celeb Gallery Report

Final score:
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BarkingSquirell
BarkingSquirell
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to google Rihanna philanthropy - she gives to a lot of charities and foundations but I say no mention of her doing anything specific for Barbados.

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#26

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Ratan Tata …. Could hit 100 billion sooner than Bezos or Musk
66% of profits generated Tata group goes straight to philanthrophy

TheManFromUnkill , ratantata Report

Final score:
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Martijn
Martijn
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He should do something about this: https://www.greenpeace.org/nl/klimaatverandering/57518/wat-tata-van-ons-steelt-de-vervuiling-van-tata-steel-voor-mens-dier-en-natuur/

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#27

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers George Lucas - most of that 4 billion he sold Star Wars to Disney for went into an educational charity.

bmtri , Neon Tommy Report

Final score:
41points
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#28

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani yogurt, seems like a decent dude.

OliverTw1st , United States Mission Geneva Report

Final score:
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Jeff White
Jeff White
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have heard nothing but good things. I'm sure there has been some less than good, but screw that. Let's concentrate on the good.

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#29

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers Jeffrey Lebowski and his little urban achievers

xxFrenchToastxx , Gage Skidmore Report

Final score:
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#30

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers MrBeast. I think no matter if you like it that he monetizes the surgeries or donations, it is still something good he is doing.

Prussia_I , mrbeast Report

Final score:
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Mario Alberto
Mario Alberto
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the rich could find a way to monetize helping and giving away to those in need the way he does this world would be much better; but instead they get rich by exploiting the poor and destroying the planet.

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#31

Someone Asked Which Millionaires And Billionaires The Internet Calls Decent And Got These 31 Answers J K Rowling

Wolfe_Hunter_VII , The Rowling Library Report

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Bear Hall
Bear Hall
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11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lord have mercy! If she was really transphobic with all her money and influence she could make things much harder for them in the UK. And probably she wouldn't be much worse off than now after only voicing her opinion. She's spending literally tons of money to fight poverty, illiteracy, women issues, etc.

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