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Topics: US News, Jeff Bezos, Money
Claire Reid
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has said it’s ‘not easy’ to give away his estimated $117 billion (£96bn) fortune - if you’re looking for anyone to take some cash off your hands, Jeff, I’m right here.
The 58-year-old multibillionaire recently pledged to give away ‘most’ of his eye-watering fortune to good causes - and got the ball rolling with a $100 million grant to country music legend Dolly Parton, so she can continue her philanthropic work.
However, Bezos has admitted that giving away his cash is actually ‘very hard’.
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Appearing on CNN alongside partner Lauren Sánchez, he said: "The hard part is figuring out how to do it in a levered way.
“It’s not easy. Building Amazon was not easy. It took a lot of hard work, a bunch of very smart teammates, hard-working teammates, and I’m finding - and I think Lauren is finding the same thing - that charity, philanthropy, is very similar.”
He added: “There are a bunch of ways that I think you could do ineffective things, too. So you have to think about it carefully and you have to have brilliant people on the team.”
Bezos has already committed to giving $10 billion by 2030 to the Bezos Earth Fund, which he set up to help combat climate change.
Alongside that, Parton received the Bezos Courage and Civility Award from Bezos and Sanchez earlier this month.
Sanchez explained that the award 'recognises leaders who aim high, find solutions, and who always do it with civility'.
She added: "Each awardee wins $100 million to direct to the charities that they see fit.”
The singer took to the stage to receive the award, grinning and exclaiming: “Wow! Did you say $100 million?
She went on to encourage those who are in a position to help to offer their help, adding: "I know that I've always said I try to put my money where my heart is, and I think you do the same thing.
"I will do my best to do good things with this money. Thank you, Jeff."
Alongside footage of Parton receiving the award, Sanchez wrote on Instagram: "Jeff and I are so proud to share that we have a new Bezos Courage and Civility Award winner — a woman who gives with her heart and leads with love and compassion in every aspect of her work.
"We can’t wait to see all the good that you’re going to do with this $100 million award, @DollyParton."