Woman to Give Away over $25 Million Inheritance Asks Why Winners Deserve It – Answers Are Mind-Blowing

An Austrian heiress is giving her wealth to deserving individuals because she doesn't believe she shouldn't be taxed. Her initiative is meant to redistribute her riches, and many social media users have explained why they deserve it.

In October 2022, a heiress named Marlene Engelhorn, featured in TEDx Talks, explained how she was born into a family that owned a fortune from their work in the pharmaceutical industry. Engelhorn revealed that she was told she'd inherit a large sum and become a multi-millionaire.

She explained how people expected her to be grateful and happy about that prospect, but instead, she was left feeling angry and frustrated. The reason for her reaction was that becoming a high-net-worth individual (HNWI) meant she couldn't ignore the systemic problem underlying it.

After taking part in the Vienna, Austria TEDx Talks event on January 15, 2024, she took to her Instagram with another video. This time, she gave the same background about her family and its wealth and noted how she would become prosperous without ever working for the money.

Engelhorn feels millionaires shouldn't get to decide how they contribute justly to their societies because they would've never become rich without them. The woman also thought they should be interested in social justice along with everyone else.

She expressed how she feels that wealth tax should be implemented so rich people can take responsibility and added her message with a powerful final statement. Engelhorn said:

"Tax us!"

The Austrian woman decided to give away €25 million (over $27 million) in inheritance. In a follow-up post on the same day, she shared a picture of herself and asked her followers to tell her why she should choose them as benefactors in her wealth.

"You would change my life."

On January 24, 2024, it was revealed that the heiress set up a citizen's Good Council assembly to redistribute her vast wealth across society. She spent years campaigning for a more equitable tax system in Austria. During an address, Engelhorn notes in her mother tongue that she has all that money because the government failed to tax her.

She feels it's unequal to have so much money just because she was born into a particular family. Experts and the assembly will randomly choose 50 citizens who will meet over six weekends from March until June 2024 to decide how the funds should be split.

Engelhorn will not have a say in who will get the money, but her "Guter Rat" or Good Council website gave insight into how people can apply to be chosen as the top 50, stating:

"Anyone who wants to take part fills out a survey - and from all the responses, a council of 50 people is put together that reflects the Austrian population as accurately as possible. Gender, age, education, job, and so on."

Although some of the conditions to participate in being selected include being at least 16 years old and appearing in the central register of residents or registered in Austria, many people rushed to reply to Engelhorn's Instagram account to give reasons why she should choose them.

Since she'd extended her help on social media, people replied. One commented, "Please I ask you to help me. I have depression and anxiety. I have been away from the company since July and have not received anything during this period. I live with my mother who is sick, has back problems, and needs surgery that costs an average of 11 thousand reais. I can't help her anymore. I've tried to commit suicide because of this situation. You may be our only hope. I ask that you please help us in the name of GOD."

Another replied, "Hi Marlene, I'll start by saying that I don't think what I heard is real, but when you're desperate, unfortunately you try everything... I'm an Italian guy, I'm an entrepreneur in the catering sector and unfortunately a year ago my partner left, leaving me in a very significant debt situation, I don't give up and today I'm here and with my own strength I'm trying to move forward even if it's very difficult."

The person continued, "I have a little daughter who helps me when she can because she understands the situation.... who knows if you will ever read this message but I wouldn't mind a little help (I'm not asking for the moon☺️), it would then be returned a little at a time I know you will receive millions of messages... but I hope this message shines a little light HI Good day ivan."

"@marlene_.engelhorn you would change my life. I have dental emergencies affecting my health. COPD. Spot on my lung. Mom passed of cancer (sic). Grandpa passed. I'm a young mom. You have no idea what this would do for me and my family. Past due on rent and electric," said another Instagram user.

"I just want a million to build my dream, therapeutic Gym for bodybuilding, and other competitive sports," replied a social media user on X, formerly Twitter. "If you could sponsor my master degree (sic) tuition fee in Australia, not all, even half of it, that would be a good gesture," tweeted an Engelhorn follower.

Here's to hoping the right people who wish to make a real difference are selected to get part of the heiress's wealth. If you enjoyed that story, click here to read about a rich woman who used her wealth to enrich a homeless child's life.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.