Austrian Heiress Marlene Engelhorn’s Unprecedented Act of Kindness
A Generous Windfall and an Unexpected Twist
In September 2022, 31-year-old Viennese Marlene Engelhorn inherited a colossal fortune of 25 million euros following the passing of her grandmother, Traudl Engelhorn-Vechiatto. The wealth, earned through the founding of the German chemical and pharmaceutical company, BASF, now rests in Marlene’s hands.
Unearned Riches and a Rally for Shared Decision-Making
Feeling the weight of what she deems “undeserved” money, Marlene seeks to rewrite the script by allowing randomly selected Austrian citizens to determine the destiny of her significant inheritance. In an unprecedented move, she has called upon her fellow Austrians to participate in the Good Redistribution Council initiative.
The Good Redistribution Council Initiative: Empowering the People
Earlier this week, the affluent heiress sent out 10,000 invitations to randomly selected Austrian citizens, inviting them to be part of the Good Redistribution Council initiative. From this pool of 10,000 adults, a group of 50 individuals will be chosen, with an additional 15 as substitutes in case of any dropouts. The responsibility of this selected group is to collectively decide how Marlene Engelhorn’s wealth should be redistributed.
Trusting the People: A Democratic Approach to Wealth Redistribution
Marlene emphasizes her lack of veto power in the decision-making process. She willingly places her fortune at the disposal of these 50 individuals, expressing full trust in their ability to make decisions that are “broadly supported.” In her own words, “I inherited wealth and, with it, power, without having done anything to deserve it. And the state doesn’t even want to tax it.”
Marlene Engelhorn’s Vision: Serving Democracy
Marlene believes that her initiative serves democracy by sidestepping taxation on the inheritance in Austria. According to her, inheriting wealth and power without contributing anything to earn it prompted her to take this unprecedented step. The initiative aligns with her belief in allowing the people to have a say in the fate of the inherited fortune.
Summing it up, Marlene Engelhorn’s decision to entrust randomly chosen citizens with the decision-making power over her substantial inheritance is a unique and heartening example of generosity and democratic values. The Good Redistribution Council initiative stands as a testament to her commitment to redefine the narrative surrounding wealth and power. This story unfolds as an inspiring chapter in the world of philanthropy and individual responsibility.
Sophia H.