Michael Bloomberg, born on February 14, 1942 (83 years old) in Boston, United States, is a philanthropist, politician, and businessman who served as mayor of New York City between 2002 and 2013. He founded Bloomberg LP, a financial software company, and for years has ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the United States and worldwide, according to Forbes, a magazine specializing in financial activity.
The United Nations approved his role as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Climate Ambition and Solutions. Owing to his wealth, he has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to causes focused on public health, climate change mitigation, and gun control regulation. His total charitable contributions are estimated to exceed 20 billion dollars.
Most of his wealth derives from his ownership stake in Bloomberg LP, a U.S.-based financial company that holds roughly one third of its market segment and in which the founder owns close to 90 percent. The company includes Bloomberg Philanthropies, a philanthropic organization aimed at investing in key areas such as education, health, the environment, and the arts, among others.
Bloomberg exerts influence on environmental policy through his position at the United Nations, has invested millions of dollars in schools and universities, and supports public health initiatives focused on reducing tobacco consumption in multiple cities. In 2024, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former U.S. president Joe Biden, an honor awarded to individuals with significant civil impact.
He also serves as a Global Ambassador for the World Health Organization in the area of noncommunicable diseases and injuries. Bloomberg has co-authored a best-selling book that examines how cities can play a decisive role in protecting the planet, and he has founded organizations that support gun control and coherent firearms legislation.
The impact of Bloomberg on public health, the environment, and gun control
Bloomberg Philanthropies defines itself as an organization that “works to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people,” focusing on core areas that include public health, the environment, and gun control. Its official website details the specific fields covered under its public health initiatives.
As former mayor of New York City, Bloomberg intensified his donations aimed at reducing tobacco use. This initiative spans more than 110 cities and reports investments exceeding one billion dollars since 2005 in efforts to curb smoking. The programs also target improvements in nutrition, cardiovascular health, road safety, and related areas.
In environmental matters, Bloomberg emphasizes the development of sustainable cities. This approach includes promoting clean energy, particularly renewable sources, improving air quality through pollution reduction, and protecting the oceans. Education is another central focus of his investments. Bloomberg has expanded access to education for thousands of young people and invested in schools supporting the development of Black communities.
Everytown for Gun Safety is an American organization founded by Bloomberg that advocates for laws to combat gun violence in the United States. Supported by more than ten million followers, it focuses on advocacy, education, direct action, and building a broad-based movement.
Additional philanthropic efforts include government innovation initiatives and support for the arts in the United States. Bloomberg LP currently operates in more than 120 countries and employs over 20,000 people worldwide.
Bloomberg’s investment in Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University, located in Maryland, is a private institution and the university Bloomberg attended, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in electrical engineering. He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and donated nearly two billion dollars to support students unable to afford tuition.
In 2024, he again contributed billions of dollars to make medical education at the university tuition-free. Bloomberg directed these investments toward future students in medicine and public health.
He expanded these efforts by opening a Bloomberg Center at Johns Hopkins in Washington, with the mission of training future professionals. This initiative began in 2024 with the goal of expanding Hopkins’ presence and educating new generations of entrepreneurs.
Michael Bloomberg, one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States, allocates nearly 15 percent of his net worth to philanthropic initiatives, spanning public health, environmental protection, gun control, and educational development.