Mark Zuckerberg pledges 99% of his Facebook shares to a good cause as their daughter Max is born
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have pledged 99 per cent of their shares in Facebook to their joint philanthropic venture intent on “advancing human potential and promoting equality”.
The pledge made to Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will see the couple contribute to the foundation throughout their lifetimes, looking to make the world a better place for their daughter Max.
Expectedly, Zuckerberg shared the news on the social network in a letter to his newborn daughter.
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Priscilla and I are so happy to welcome our daughter Max into this world!For her birth, we wrote a letter to her about...
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday, 1 December 2015
The post was commented upon by Melinda Gates, who with her husband Bill, runs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – the largest private foundation in the world. She said: “As for your decision to give back so generously, and to deepen your commitment now, the first word that comes to mind is: Wow. The example you’re setting today is an inspiration to us and the world.”
Investor Warren Buffett, who pledged shares of Berkshire Hathaway worth $31 billion to Gates' foundation in 2006, added: “Mark and Priscilla are breaking the mold with this breathtaking commitment. A combination of brains, passion and resources on this scale will change the lives of millions.
"On behalf of future generations, I thank them."