George Michael was a ‘generous philanthropist’

ENGLAND - George Michael was secretly trying to heal the pain around the world. The superstar singer who died on Sunday at 53 never boasted about his charitable side, but now countless people are coming forward to share stories of Michael’s giving ways. “A woman on ‘Deal Or No Deal’ told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k,” game show host Richard Osmond tweeted on Monday. After Osman shared his tale, dozens of people came forward to publicize the charitable efforts carried out by the “Heal the Pain” musician. Michael’s website briefly addresses his charitable ways, noting that much of it was undocumented. The Grammywinning pop star donated all of the royalties from his group Wham!’s single “Last Christmas/Everything She Wants” to Ethiopian famine relief, according to the site. The founder of the children’s charity, Childline, told the Press Association that Michael donated millions to the organization and was determined to keep it quiet. “For years now he has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist...” Dame Esther Rantzen said. “Over the years he gave us millions and we were planning next year, as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations to create, we hoped, a big concert in tribute to him to his artistry, to his wonderful musicality but also to thank him for the 100s of 1,000s of children he helped through supporting Childline.” Michael also supported the Terrence Higgins Trust for many years after losing his partner Anselmo Feleppa to HIV, a member of the organization revealed. In addition to his incredibly generous donations to structured charities, Michael also made small gestures to everyday people. “George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter I was volunteering at. I’ve never told anyone, he asked we didn’t. That’s who he was,” Emilyne Mondo wrote on Twitter.

(nydailynews)