Billie Eilish has donated $11.5 million (£9.4 million) to global charities while urging the world's wealthiest individuals to share their fortunes. The 23-year-old singer made the announcement on 29 October 2025 during the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards in New York City, where she was honoured for her environmental and philanthropic work.
A Call for Generosity
In her acceptance speech, Eilish highlighted the importance of community giving and challenged billionaires to follow suit. 'If you're a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties,' she told the audience a remark that drew applause and quickly went viral on social media.
The donation will support a range of international causes, including climate action and food equity, two areas Eilish has championed through her climate platform Overheated. She noted that the funds were drawn from proceeds from her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour.
'I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love,' she said. 'But it makes no sense to hoard billions while so many people can't afford to live.'
Billie Eilish is donating $11.5 million from her ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ tour proceeds to support food equity, climate justice, reducing carbon pollution and combatting the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/NRSqWFLNmq
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 30, 2025
Direct Message to the Ultra-Rich
Eilish's remarks referenced prominent tech billionaires including Mark Zuckerberg, who was in attendance at the gala and sparked widespread discussion online. Clips of her speech have since been viewed millions of times across X and TikTok, with fans praising her for using her platform to challenge wealth inequality.
The Grammy-winning artist added that her decision to donate was about 'setting an example' for younger generations of creators. 'We all benefit from this world,' she said. 'We have to give something back to it.'
Economists have long noted that the world's top one per cent controls nearly half of global wealth, a statistic that has fuelled debates about ethical investment and corporate responsibility. Eilish's comments tapped directly into those concerns, resonating with audiences who see her as part of a growing wave of socially conscious entertainers.
Continuing Her Activist Legacy
This move aligns with Eilish's broader record of activism. Earlier in 2025, she expanded her Overheated initiative a sustainability-focused platform promoting carbon-neutral touring and waste reduction at live events. The singer has also supported youth mental health charities and disaster relief programmes, including wildfire aid in California.
Her commitment to hands-on philanthropy has earned praise from fans and industry peers alike. A spokesperson for Variety's Innovator Awards described her as 'an artist who bridges creativity with conscience.'
By coupling a major financial donation with a public appeal to the ultra-wealthy, Eilish reaffirmed her position as one of music's most outspoken advocates for social change. Whether her challenge inspires others to act remains to be seen but her message was clear: generosity, not accumulation, should define influence.
