Why Jamsetji Tata Earned The Moniker Of The Biggest Philanthropist In The World

In what came as a proud moment for India, the notable industrialist Jamsetji Tata was conferred with the title of the biggest philanthropist globally of the last century. Jamsetji Tata had donated $102 billion (around Rs 847574 crore), following which he emerged as the biggest philanthropist, as per a list of top 50 givers prepared by Hurun Report and EdelGive Foundation. The first-ever list of Edelgive Hurun India Philanthropist of the Century named Tata ahead of the likes of Bill Gates and his now estranged wife Melinda, Warren Buffet, Henry Hughes, and George Soros. While Bill and Melinda donated $74.6 billion, George Soros and John D Rockefeller’s contribution was $26.8 billion. The list was released in the year 2021 to rank the world’s most generous individuals from the last century.

Rupert Hoogewerf, the chairman and chief researcher at Hurun, said, “Whilst American and European philanthropists may have dominated the thinking of philanthropy over the last century, Jamsetji Tata, founder of India’s Tata Group is the world’s biggest philanthropist.”

It is pertinent to note that the donations given by Jamsetji Tata were primarily for the welfare of the education and healthcare sectors. He had contributed two-thirds of his money to trusts engaged in philanthropic activities. As per the EdelGive Foundation and Hurun Report, Jamsetji Tata started giving donations in 1892. It said, “The total philanthropic value of Tata is made up of 66 per cent of Tata Sons, estimated at $100 billion, solely based on the value of listed entities.”

Jamsetji Tata is the only Indian in the top 10 ranking of the list, whereas Azim Premji – the former chairman of Wipro – has his name in the top 50. Premji is ranked 12th on the list as he decided to donate half of his fortune by signing the Giving Pledge in 2013. It is worth mentioning that Premji was the first in the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List for 2020.

The maximum number of people who made it to the list are from the United States (39). It is followed by the United Kingdom (5), China (3), and India (2).