[escapee]

Bill gates gave more to charity last year than at a guess at least 50% of the rest of America combined. So the cold heart idea doesn't cut it either.

Ha Warren buffett did a little better by giving 85% of Berkshire stock to five foundations

Because the value of Buffett's gifts are tied to a future, unknowable price of Berkshire, there is no way to put a total dollar value on them. But the number of shares earmarked to be given have a huge value today: $37 billion.

That alone would be the largest philanthropic gift in history. And if Buffett is right in thinking that Berkshire's price will trend upward, the eventual amount given could far exceed that figure.