MacKenzie Scott: ‘Third-biggest philanthropist’ ever

Numerous women appear on Forbes’ list of the top 25 philanthropists of all time in the United States, led by MacKenzie Scott, with the publication noting that her $26 billion in giving the past seven years makes her the third-biggest philanthropist ever. Scott gave $7.2 billion in 2025r, the “most of anyone on earth.” The other women not listed as part of a couple are Marilyn Simons (No. 6), the widow of quantitative trading expert Jim Simons; Barbara Picower, the widow of Jeffry Picower, the “biggest beneficiary” of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme (No. 13); and Edythe Broad, the widow of homebuilding and insurance executive Eli Broad. Sixteen women in total are on the list, including Melinda French Gates, Connie Ballmer and Susan Dell. The only people who have given more than Scott are Warren Buffet and Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.