Basketball legend and African-American billionaire Michael Jordan is set to break records by making a generous $10-million donation to Make-A-Wish America in celebration of his upcoming 60th birthday.
According to the Arizona-based nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to fulfil the wishes of critically ill children between the ages of 2 and 18, Jordan’s gift is the largest individual contribution in the charity organization’s history.
In a recent statement, Jordan expressed his gratitude for his 34-year partnership with Make-A-Wish, stating: “For the past 34 years, it’s been an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and happiness to so many kids.”
“Witnessing their strength and resilience during such a tough time in their lives has truly been an inspiration. I can’t think of a better birthday gift than seeing others join me in supporting Make-A-Wish so that every child can experience the magic of having their wish come true,” he added.
The Arizona-based nonprofit organization plans to use the $10-million donation to create an endowment fund that will help fulfil the wishes of children with critical illnesses. The donation is expected to serve as a model for other ultra-high-net-worth individuals who may be inspired to support this cause.
Michael Jordan has been supporting Make-A-Wish since 1989
Jordan, one of the world’s richest black businessmen, has a net worth of $1.7 billion and remains one of the organization’s most popular wish requests. He was named Make-A-Chief Wish’s Wish Ambassador in 2008 for the life-changing impact he has had on wish kids and their families.
He has been a committed supporter of Make-A-Wish since granting his first wish in 1989. Since then, he has granted hundreds of wishes to children all over the world, becoming one of the most requested celebrity wish granters of all time.
Michael Jordan’s net worth skyrockets: increases by $100 million in one year
Jordan’s net worth has risen by $100 million since Jan. 1, 2022, from $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion, making him the fourth-richest Black billionaire in the United States, trailing “The Queen of Talk,” Oprah Winfrey.
Jordan earned $90 million in salary during his career, but according to Forbes, he has pocketed $1.8 billion (pre-tax) from corporate partners such as Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade.
He is the chairman and principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets, a North Carolina-based NBA team. He agreed to sell a minority stake in the NBA team for $1.5 billion in 2019. He also owns a NASCAR team and a stake in DraftKings, a sports betting company.
