Top 20 Wealthy Celebs Who Leave Nothing to Their Children

Some of the richest people in entertainment and business have said their kids will not inherit their fortunes. Instead they have laid out plans to give their wealth to charity or to use it for projects that serve the broader public. Their announcements often explain how their children will be encouraged to build their own careers and financial independence.

These decisions vary in structure and timing. Many set up foundations, donor advised funds, or long term pledges that unlock as they meet philanthropic goals. Others make it clear that basic support like education and health care is covered while the vast majority of assets are directed away from family estates and into charitable work.

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig has said his wealth will not be passed down to his children. He has described the practice of large inheritances as unhelpful for the next generation and has stated that he plans to give his money away rather than leave it sitting in an estate.

His approach focuses on spending or donating wealth during his lifetime. That means future earnings from acting and endorsements are expected to be directed toward philanthropy or personal use, not a large family trust.

Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay has explained that his children will not receive his fortune. He has said they get opportunities like good education and guidance, but no direct access to the family wealth as an inheritance.

He and his wife have also outlined rules that keep their kids grounded. For example they have spoken about separate travel arrangements and clear boundaries around spending so their children learn to manage their own money.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell has said he will not leave his fortune to his son. He wants his money to support charitable causes and projects that help others rather than creating a large inheritance.

He has talked about giving opportunities instead of cash. That includes education and mentorship while focusing his estate planning on donations to organizations and causes he believes in.

Sting

Sting has publicly said his children should not expect to inherit his wealth. He has pointed out that his money is committed to long running projects and that he does not believe in leaving large sums to his kids.

He has noted that his children are expected to have their own careers. Any support he provides is centered on guidance and education while the estate is planned around his philanthropic interests.

Elton John

Elton John has said his children will not receive huge sums from his estate. He and his husband have emphasized that their sons will be encouraged to build their own paths without the pressure or distortion of a massive inheritance.

Their plan prioritizes education and well being for the kids while directing the majority of wealth to charitable work. They have long supported medical research and social programs through established giving.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan has stated that his assets will go to charity rather than to his son. He has explained that leaving a large inheritance could reduce a child’s motivation to build a life on their own.

His philanthropy includes funding for education and disaster relief through foundations and direct donations. Estate planning documents and public comments have reinforced that the charitable route is his chosen path.

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper has said he does not believe in passing on large sums to his children. He has explained that he grew up without expectation of an inheritance and that he intends to continue that principle.

His approach covers essential support like education while keeping long term wealth out of a family trust. He has emphasized personal responsibility and career development over inherited money.

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett has made a widely known pledge to give away nearly all of his fortune. He has said his children will receive enough to do anything but not enough to do nothing, and the plan channels wealth to philanthropy rather than to heirs.

Most of his giving moves through large annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway shares to foundations focused on health, education, and poverty alleviation. His estate plans are structured so that the vast majority is distributed to charitable causes.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates has explained that his children will get a small portion of his wealth while the rest goes to philanthropy. He has long maintained that massive inheritances are not good for society or for kids.

His giving is organized through a foundation that funds global health, education, and development. Estate documents and public letters have underscored that only a modest safety net will go to his children.

Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg has pledged to give away most of his fortune during his lifetime. He has said that wealth should be used to improve society rather than sit in a family estate for generations.

His philanthropy targets public health, education, climate, and civic innovation. Estate planning aligns with these priorities so his children benefit from opportunities and guidance rather than a large inheritance.

George Lucas

George Lucas has committed to donating most of the proceeds from his work to education and the arts. He announced these plans when he sold his company and reiterated that his focus is on philanthropy rather than a family inheritance.

His charitable efforts include support for classrooms, teacher development, and storytelling initiatives. Estate and gift structures move wealth into these programs instead of creating large trusts for heirs.

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Andrew Lloyd Webber has said his children will not inherit his fortune. He has explained that he wants them to have their own careers and that his wealth will be used in ways that support the arts and charitable work.

He has created programs and awards that fund music education and theater. His estate plans continue that mission by directing assets toward institutions and grants rather than to family accounts.

Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg has announced that he and his wife plan to give away the vast majority of their wealth. They set up a vehicle to fund long term work in science, education, and technology instead of creating a large inheritance for their children.

Their structure focuses on investing in research and social initiatives over decades. Family support is centered on upbringing and education while assets are committed to projects with public impact.

Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban has said his children should not expect to inherit his fortune. He has explained that he wants to donate his wealth to causes that matter to him rather than pass it down.

He emphasizes education and life skills for his kids while keeping wealth earmarked for philanthropy. His public comments indicate that estate planning will reflect those priorities.

Marie Osmond

Marie Osmond has said she does not plan to leave her money to her children. She has explained that an inheritance can remove the motivation to work for personal goals.

Her plan is to donate her wealth to charity. She has said that her children receive support through opportunities and guidance while the estate is targeted at organizations that help others.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher has said his children will not receive trust funds. He has described a plan where their basic needs and education are supported while any substantial wealth is directed to charitable causes.

He has invested in companies that address health and social issues and has been active in anti trafficking work. He has stated that proceeds and equity would be used for philanthropy rather than legacy wealth.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis has spoken alongside Ashton Kutcher about not setting up large inheritances for their children. She has said they want their kids to learn the value of work and to pursue education and careers on their own.

Their approach keeps family support focused on upbringing and school while future earnings are earmarked for donations. They have reiterated that there will be no unrestricted trust fund for their children.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons has said his children will not inherit his fortune. He has stated that they will receive support for education and a start in life, but the wealth he has built will go to charity.

He has detailed expectations for his children to make their own careers. His giving supports medical and community programs and his estate plan directs assets to those efforts.

Laurene Powell Jobs

Laurene Powell Jobs has said she does not intend to pass on massive wealth to her children. She has discussed the idea that inherited fortunes can concentrate power and limit mobility, and that her focus is on philanthropy.

Her work funds education, immigration reform, and environmental initiatives through structured vehicles. Estate planning continues those commitments rather than building a large multigenerational inheritance.

Kevin O’Leary

Kevin O’Leary has said his children should not expect a large inheritance. He has explained that he pays for education but that his capital is deployed in investments and philanthropy, not in a family trust.

He has outlined clear conditions for any support, including career goals and financial independence. His public statements make it clear that his estate is designed to fund projects and causes rather than hand over wealth to heirs.

Share which of these decisions surprised you most in the comments and tell us who else belongs on this list.