Nile Kenya

George Soros is a renowned philanthropist who has donated over $32 billion to advance justice, equality, and freedom worldwide through the Open Society Foundations, which he founded. Under his leadership, these foundations have supported initiatives promoting freedom of expression, accountable governance, and the rights of marginalized groups, including Roma communities, LGBTQ individuals, and others facing discrimination. Soros also founded Central European University in Budapest, a leading center for social sciences.

Born in Hungary in 1930, Soros survived the Nazi occupation by securing false identity papers for his Jewish family and helping others do the same. After fleeing Communist Hungary in 1947, he studied at the London School of Economics and later built a successful career in finance, establishing Soros Fund Management in 1970. His wealth has fueled transformative philanthropic efforts, from supporting anti-apartheid scholarships to fostering democratic governance and human rights across the globe.

Soros’s philanthropy reflects the influence of philosopher Karl Popper, emphasizing the importance of open societies and democratic ideals. Even in his 80s, Soros remains actively involved in his foundations, which operate in over 100 countries, working to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges and championing causes that align with his vision for a more equitable world.

“My success in the financial markets has given me a greater degree of independence than most other people,” Soros once wrote.