Richard Branson

Richard Branson is what is considered today as the new type of philanthropist. He has a net worth of over $7 billion. He was recently described by Business 2.0 as "part Warren Buffett, part P.T. Barnum." He is charismatic, British and famous for founding the Virgin brand along with many other entrepreneurial tactics.

How does he feel when going into an impoverished part of Africa?

"Anyone would feel an enormous sense of guilt going to one of these places - and if you're in a position to do something about it you've got to make an effort," says Sir Richard Branson. Great wealth brings great responsibility. He is increasingly committed in the serious business of supporting health and education projects in Africa

This entrepreneur adventurer announced in September that he would give all of the profits from his Virgin Group's train and airline businesses over to fight global warming. The estimated $3 billion pledge will be invested in the development of non-coal-based and non-oil-based fuel.

Branson started his first charity, “Student Valley Centre”, when he was only 17.

Branson is a trustee of several charities including the Healthcare Foundation, a leading healthcare charity responsible for a health education campaign relating to AIDS. This Foundation is involved in a lobbying campaign to restrict tobacco advertising and sponsorship in sports called ‘Parents Against Tobacco’. His help in the initial funding of Charity Projects helped that organization to raise over $50 million in 1989 alone.

In the summer of 2004, Richard launched Virgin Unite as a vehicle to bring together all the resources of the Virgin Group internationally and, most importantly, Virgin’s best asset – it’s people, to tackle some of the tougher challenges facing the world today, in particular, HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

In December 1999 Branson was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s millennium New Years honors list for “services to entrepreneurship.”

In true billionaire philanthropist form Sir Richard Branson says, "With extreme wealth comes extreme responsibility. And the responsibility for me is to invest in creating new businesses, create jobs, employ people, and to put money aside to tackle issues where we can make a difference."

Hear, Hear Sir Richard!