Forbes magazine has baked up another batch of its 400 wealthiest US inhabitants today, and man, are they fresh! Also this week, former President Bill Clinton — who didn’t make the cut — unleashed his Clinton Global Initiative where billionaires are throwing money at issues like never before. Hmm … what is the price tag for curing AIDS? We might soon find out, but until we do, let’s go down the list and suggest to five of the 400 people ways that they can impact change in a way plebeians like us can’t: with dolla, dolla, bills, y’all.
To get you in the mood, check out Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” video (list below):
1. America’s richest woman, Christy Walton, is already a giver. Conde Nast Portfolio magazine ranked the Wal-Mart heiress as the highest female philanthropist, and this week, Walton (No. 4 on Forbes’ list), by way of the retail giant, agreed to clean up the company’s Chinese textile mills with the NRDC. What’s next? We’re hoping the world’s richest woman will solve the feminine problem of human trafficking. With $24 billion at her ready, we think if anyone can save female sex slaves, it’s Walton.
2. Can I interest you in a little bit of world peace? If anyone can sell the idea of love and understanding, it’s Billy Joe McCombs. The Texan made his fortune selling cars and then co-founding Clear Channel Communications with Lowry Mays in 1972. The self-made man rakes in a cool $1.3 billion. We’re thinking with all that money, the sports fan (He roots for the Texas Longhorns and used to own the Minnesota Vikings) can even the playing field by encouraging tolerance, not only in football but also worldwide.
3. Holly Golightly’s everywhere, better apply your best lipstick fast because Dustin Moskovitz is the states’ youngest billionaire. With eight days more youth, the man who owns 6 percent in Facebook beat out Mark Zuckerberg for the title. And what, pray tell, should Moskovitz do with all that cash? His new company, Asana, lists “being a mensch” as one of their core values, so we’re suggesting he solve the Israel/Palestine conflict. Can you cure centuries of unrest for $1.4 billion? Hey, it’s a start.
4. If anyone is going to feed the world, it might as well be the Mars family. Brothers Forrest and John tie sister Jacqueline Mars for the 26th richest American. Mars is the world’s largest candy company, bringing in a whopping $28 billion profit. Also under the company’s umbrella is Wrigley gum, pet food and health products, leading us to believe that this trio can surely use their $10 billion to create a modern day loaves and fishes situation.
5. And what would a richest American list be without the mention of the No. 1 stunner? You guessed it. It’s Microsoft founder and serious philanthropist Bill Gates. Strutting proudly at $54 billion, he’s destined to lose at least half of it to charity and has advised others on the Forbes list to do the same. Gates, you’re doing a knockout job already. Our only advice is to keep it up.
Photo courtesy of Forbes.