Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently attended the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York City with his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan. During the ceremony, Billie Eilish, who received the award for 2025 Music Innovator, called out billionaires in the room to give away more of their money.
Here’s how Mark Zuckerberg reacted to Billie Eilish’s comment
During her acceptance speech at the WSJ Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art, Billie Eilish called out the billionaires in the room. Aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of charitable donations, Eilish said, “We’re in a time right now where the world is really, really bad and really dark and people need empathy and help more than, kind of, ever, especially in our country. And I’d say if you have money, it would be great to use it for good things, maybe give it to some people that need it.”
As the audience applauded in support, the Grammy winner continued, “Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me. If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.” Post this comment, Eilish received a quiet laughter as the applause continued. However, according to PEOPLE, as per eyewitnesses, Zuckerberg reportedly did not clap along with everyone.
With an estimated net worth of around $257 billion, Zuckerberg is currently the third richest person in the world (via Forbes). At the same time, he appears committed to philanthropy, as he and his wife Priscilla Chan pledge to donate 99% of their Meta shares to their cause over the course of their lifetimes, as highlighted in the WSJ profile on Chan.
Even though not a bilionaire, Eilish too stays true to her preachment. During her introduction for the Music Innovator Award, Stephen Colbert spoke of the Oscar-winning singer-songwriter’s donation. He mentioned that she will be donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour to support organizations, projects and voices dedicated to food equity, climate justice, reducing carbon pollution and dealing with the climate crisis.
