Meet Marlene Engelhorn, an Austrian heiress who inherited $27.3 million from her grandmother in September 2022. Thanks to Austria's decision to abolish inheritance tax in 2008, Marlene didn't pay a penny in taxes on her fortune. While many would see this as a dream come true, Marlene feels conflicted. "I've inherited a fortune, and therefore power, without having done anything for it," she said. "And the state doesn't even want taxes on it." 🤔
Determined to make a difference, Marlene plans to give away 90% of her inheritance. To decide who should benefit from her generosity, she launched the Guter Rat (Good Council) project. Marlene sent letters to 10,000 Austrians over the age of 16 at random. The responses will be narrowed down to 50 decision-makers, with 15 substitutes in case anyone drops out. This innovative approach ensures that the money is spent on causes that truly matter to the community.
Marlene isn't alone in her mission. A growing number of wealthy individuals around the world are advocating for a wealth tax. They believe that redistributing wealth can help billions struggling amid a cost of living crisis and address other global challenges. 🌍💬✨
