Marlene Engelhorn says that when she inherited her grandmother’s multimillion-dollar fortune in 2022, she “wanted to be happy about it.”
“And I couldn’t be,” the Austrian heiress told As It Happens host Nil Köksal. “I was angry instead … because I knew it was really unfair, and there was no reason for me to get this that I could really justify.”
Engelhorn has long campaigned for greater taxes on the wealthy in Austria, including an inheritance tax. But since the government won’t redistribute her wealth for her, she says she’s asking the people do it.
Engelhorn is giving €25 million ($36.5 million Cdn) — which she says is the vast majority of her inheritance — to a committee of Austrian residents tasked with using it to fight wealth inequality.
“I am only wealthy because I was born in a rich family. And I think in a democratic society of the 21st century, birth should not be the one thing that determines whether or not you’re gonna get to lead a very good life,” Engelhorn said.
She gave her money to a group of people to support political causes related to taking money from millionaires. What a millionaire way to think they’re making a difference by letting other people spend their extra money on politics.
Something just feels off with the sentiment. You can always voluntarily pay more in taxes so that the public services are funded. As it stands this moeny will get siphoned to the proverbial dice roll of politics that always has a taint of corruption.
Quietly give 25 mil to the government and nothing changes or put 25 mil towards making a positive change in the world…hmmm…hmmm…yeah, tough choice. I say you mind your own business and let her at least try and influence the world for the better.