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Kirk Douglas Promised To Leave $80 Million Fortune To Charity After He Died

Kirk Douglas Promised To Leave $80 Million Fortune To Charity After He Died

The Hollywood legend passed away on 5 February

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Kirk Douglas promised to leave his $80 million (£62m) fortune to charity after his death.

In a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Douglas said: "My wife is very smart. Fifty years ago she set up a trust, and it's been growing ever since. So recently [in 2012] I said, 'How much money do we have in that?' And she said, '$80 million.' I said, 'What?!'"

His wife Anne Buydens then picked up the story, telling the publication: "He said, 'I want to give it away.' And that's exactly what's happening."

At the time, the article claimed, the couple had already pledged $50m to be redistributed through the Douglas Foundation, which aims to 'help those who cannot otherwise help themselves'.

Some of the recipients include St Lawrence University, where they fund a scholarship for minority and underprivileged students; Westwood's Sinai Temple, which houses the Kirk and Anne Douglas Childhood Center; Culver City's Kirk Douglas Theatre, a dilapidated movie theatre restored as a live performance venue, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Expressions of mourning on Kirk Douglas' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
PA

Following the actor's death on 5 February, his son Michael Douglas released a statement which read: "It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103.

"To the world he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.

"But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband.

"Kirk's life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet.

"Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son."

Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne Buydens.
PA

Michael Douglas' wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, also released a statement about her father-in-law's passing.

"To my darling Kirk, I shall love you for the rest of my life," the 50-year-old wrote on Instagram. "I miss you already. Sleep tight."

Douglas, 103, was nominated for three Academy Awards during his career, and was presented with an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1998 as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981.

He also received nominations from the Emmys, Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globes and BAFTAs, among others.

Douglas starred in Spartacus, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, The Vikings, The Indian Fighter and many more films which are widely regarded as classics.

The actor was listed at number 17 by the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male screen legends in American film history.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Entertainment, Celebrity