Home | WebMail |

      Halifax | Regions | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Posted: 2020-01-13T03:46:03Z | Updated: 2020-01-13T07:34:33Z Jeff Bezos Scorned For $690,000 Donation To Australia Fire Relief | HuffPost

Jeff Bezos Scorned For $690,000 Donation To Australia Fire Relief

Critics felt that the Amazon CEO, whose personal net worth is estimated to be more than $110 billion, could have contributed more.
|

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos caught flak on social media over the weekend after announcing the company would donate $1 million Australian dollars (around $690,000 USD) to the wildfire crisis.

“Our hearts go out to all Australians as they cope with these devastating bushfires,” Bezos wrote on his Instagram account. “Amazon is donating 1 million AU dollars in needed provisions and services.”

Critics called out Bezos, whose personal net worth is estimated to be more than $110 billion, for the amount , arguing it is a meager percentage of his and his company’s net worth. They also compared his donation to that of other public figures.

Other high profile donations so far have included a $3 million pledge from Leonardo DiCaprio, whose net worth is $260 million. Chris Hemsworth, Kylie Jenner and Elton John all pledged $1 million, and others including Pink, Bette Midler, Nick Cave, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, and Kylie Minogue’s family, all donated $500,000 to the cause. One Instagram model says she’s raised more than $1 million by selling nude photos in exchange for donations.

Here’s some of the commentary on Twitter:

Before You Go

Australian Wildfires
Australia Wildfires(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions on Dec. 31. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Australia Wildfires(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
Hot dry conditions brought an early start to the fire season. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Australia Wildfires(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
The wildfires have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Australian Bushfire Coverage(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
People stranded in Mallacoota, Victoria had to be evacuated by army personnel after bushfires ravaged the town. (credit:Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES/WILDLIFE(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services volunteer and carer Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum rescued from fires near Australias Blue Mountains. Nearly half a billion animals are feared to have died in the fires. (credit:Jill Gralow / Reuters)
Australia Wildfires(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
The fires left destruction in their wake. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Evacuations Begin Following East Gippsland Bushfires(07 of08)
Open Image Modal
Sarsfield resident Wayne Johnston inspects damage to his property in Sarsfield, Australia. (credit:Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)
Australia Wildfires(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
A burnt-out residence is seen in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria,. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)