Here’s a list of ten such celebs who strive to entertain us and earn quite a sizable amount of money, but spend a huge chunk of it to make the world a better place to live!
1. Imran Khan
Who isn’t aware of the cricketing legend/philanthropist/educationist/politician and what-not Pakistani Imran Khan! As an astounding all-rounder, he performed on several occasions and led his team from the front. Imran’s brilliant leadership skills led him to win the 1992 world cup for his cricket team, the only time Pakistan got their hands on the trophy. After a glorious retirement, Khan diverted all his energies and efforts into building a charitable cancer hospital in Lahore for his countrymen. Through sheer hard work, dedication and the persevering attitude of Khan, he was able to establish Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Trust hospital into a state-of-the-art cancer hospital where 70% of the patients are treated free, under the medical care of the best doctors. Khan has also established Namal University in Mianwali and aims to empower the impoverished Pakistani nation with education.
2. Shehzad Roy
Pakistan’s rockstar Shehzad Roy has been using his fame for positive efforts since he established the Zindagi Trust in 2002. Zindagi Trust is a non-governmental organization that aims to educate and enlighten the children of the country. Through sheer hard work, dedication and positive intentions, Roy has reformed public schools, lobbied to the Pakistan government to implement it’s educational policies and educate working children. He is the recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civil award in recognition of his excellent services in public sector.
3. Salman Khan
Bollywood actor and Dabang star Salman Khan has on many occasions also demonstrated a kind and loving heart. The superstar established his very own charitable organization titled Being Human. Salman sells Being Human t-shirts and merchandise to raise money for the underprivileged of India. He has also established the SKBH productions (Salman Khan Being Human Production), Money through the films made under this banner will be used to donate money to the poor. Salman even once offered to pay Rs.4million in order to release 400 prisons from Uttar Pradesh who had served their sentence but were unable to be set free, due to non-payment of their fines (on account of their poverty)
4. Aishwariya Rai Bachchan
The most beautiful woman in the world, Aishwariya Rai has done her bit to help the poor as well. She has promised to donate her eyes to the Eye Bank Association of India and was also appointed as the first goodwill ambassador of Smile Train, an organization that is responsible for providing free cleft lip and palate surgery to impoverished children in the world.
5. Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty donated her handsome winnings from Big Brother to AIDS awareness campaigns in India. She has also been involved in Acts Against Bullying an organization that provides practical solutions to children who have suffered from bullying.
6. Brad Pitt
Actor, producer and philanthropist Brad Pitt has also done his share of good by acting generously towards the needy of the world. He has been part of the The Make It Right Foundation, an organization that aims to build affordable housing for the residents of New Orleans. Not only that, Pitt traveled to Pakistan to witness firsthand the damages inflicted by the Kashmir earthquake. According to his tax reports of 2006, Pitt donated an estimated $8 million to charity organizations.
7. Angelina Jolie
Star actress and exotic beauty Angelina Jolie has been lobbying for the solutions of international refugees since 2001. After filming Lara Croft:Tomb Raider in Cambodia in 2001, Angelina saw the suffering of the poor people with her own eyes. The impact on her was immense, and she immediately contacted the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Since then, as a UNHCR goodwill ambassador, she has visited 30 countries and tried to solve the refugee crisis. She even risked her life in a visit to Afghanistan and the bunker she visited was blown up my rebels two weeks after, killing all it contained.
8. Bill Clinton
Popular American ex-President Bill Clinton has a heart of gold
as well and he tends to participate in various charitable ventures through the William J.Clinton Foundation. The Clinton Foundation aims to promote HIV and AIDS awareness among the world in order to curtail the effects of the fatal disease. The Clinton Global Initiative also helps to address issues such as poverty alleviation, ethnic and religious conflicts and deal with global public health issues.
9. Elton John
Sir Elton John, one of the greatest British musicians of all time, has contributed towards research of AIDS on multiple counts by funding various AIDS research organizations. After many of his friends fell prey to the incurable disease, Elton has since then funded over 50 charity organizations to research AIDS. He has also donated to organizations that rehabilitate people after natural disasters.
10. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio has been a committed environmentalist since a long time. He has solar panels installed on the roof of his house in order to make use of free electricity. He also donated $1 million to the Wildlife Conservation Society as a Russian tiger summit. Following the 2010 deadly Haiti earthquake, DiCaprio donated $1million in order to help people rehabilitate and recover from the national tragedy.
