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In a outstanding act of kindness, an Austrian heiress named Marlene Engelhorn has made headlines by freely giving her $27 million inheritance to assist these in want.
As an alternative of spending the cash on herself, the 31-year-old heiress needs to redefine the concept of inherited wealth and contain the neighborhood in deciding how the funds must be used.
Marlene is creating a bunch referred to as Guter Rat, which implies Good Council, consisting of fifty representatives randomly chosen from the Austrian inhabitants.
She believes that the destiny of a big fortune must be collectively determined by a various group, not only one particular person.
“Why ought to I alone be entitled to determine how wealth is redistributed to society — wealth that has been created by stated society?” Engelhorn wrote that a big fortune wants a collective choice of a big group and never only a particular person alone.
To decide on these representatives, the Austrian heiress has invited 10,000 Austrians to finish a survey, making certain a mixture of ages, backgrounds, and social lessons.
The ultimate council will meet over six weekends, with all bills Marlene covers.
Her choice to share her wealth stems from a priority about Austria’s lack of taxes on inheritance and wealth.
Even in international locations like america, the place property taxes exist, many heirs don’t pay them.
Born right into a rich household, Marlene is chargeable for contributing justly to society. She believes that millionaires shouldn’t be the only decision-makers in such issues.
“I used to be born to a wealthy household and can sooner or later inherit a fortune, for which I by no means needed to work,” the Austrian heiress stated.
“Millionaires shouldn’t get to determine whether or not or not they contribute in a simply solution to the societies they dwell in, and with out which they’d by no means have turn into millionaires,” she added.
Whereas Marlene empowers Guter Rat to determine how you can use her inheritance, she has set some limitations.
The funds can not go to revenue companies or help something inhumane. It’s refreshing to witness somebody taking duty for his or her assets in such a optimistic manner.
Marlene inherited the substantial sum from her grandmother, Traudl Engelhorn-Vechiatto, who handed away at 95 in September 2022.
The Austrian heiress acknowledges the privilege of inheriting wealth with out private effort. She feels compelled to redistribute it herself, particularly when the state doesn’t impose taxes on it.
“If politicians don’t do their job and redistribute, then I’ve to redistribute my wealth myself,” she declared.
Though the quantity to be given away is unclear, Marlene is keen to half with as much as 90% of her fortune.
Her grandmother, a descendant of the founding father of BASF, had an estimated internet price of $4.2 billion.
Marlene initiated the seek for the 50 representatives by sending invites to random Austrians over 16, emphasizing variety within the group.
The chosen people will convene in Salzburg from March to June, discussing and growing options for the good thing about society as an entire.
Marlene sees this course of as a service to democracy, placing her belief within the chosen representatives with out retaining veto rights.
Every participant might be generously compensated for his or her time, protecting journey prices, childcare, and interpreters, per the NY Publish.
Marlene Engelhorn is accustomed to advocating for social justice and better taxes on the rich.
She sees her inherited fortune as a chance for scrutiny and redistribution, committing to giving again and campaigning for honest tax insurance policies.
In 2021, the Austrian heiress co-founded Tax Me Now, a collective addressing excessive inequality ensuing from tax insurance policies.
Austria abolished inheritance and present taxes in 2008. Marlene has been vocal concerning the want for wealth taxes to advertise social justice, Enterprise Insider famous.
The story of Marlene Engelhorn, an Austrian heiress, is an inspiring instance of utilizing wealth to handle social points and contribute to the widespread good.
Marlene’s actions ship a strong message, urging others to replicate on their capability to positively influence the world by way of acts of kindness and philanthropy.
Watch Marlene Engelhorn’s enchantment under:
#Marlene_Engelhorn pic.twitter.com/YfDAXj0P2G
— Marlene Engelhorn (@MarleneEnglhorn) November 3, 2022
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