Fans reveal George Michael’s extraordinary acts of generosity after his death
The iconic pop singer died at the age of 53 on Sunday
This file photo taken on May 11, 2011 shows British singer George Michael attending a press conference at the Royal Opera House, central London. PHOTO: AFP
Fans of pop singer George Michael were left devastated on Sunday after finding out that the icon had passed away at the age of 53. Some of them are now revealing stories of the star’s extraordinary generosity on Twitter.
Talking to the BBC, Michael’s publicist had announced that the singer had passed away peacefully at home. Michael was best known for his 1980s hits Last Christmas, Freedom, Careless Whisper and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Amid tributes from celebrities and fans around the world also came some amazing stories of Michael being an incredible and humble philanthropist throughout his lifetime.
Singer George Michael dead at 53
Below is the list of tales emerging about the superstar complied by the The Daily Mirror.
Anonymously donated £15k for a woman's IVF treatment
Pointless presenter Richard Osman revealed that the star had anonymously donated £15,000 to a woman who couldn't afford IVF. Osman, who used to work as an executive producer on Deal or No Deal, shared the story on Twitter, saying: "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."
Donated £25k to a stranger in debt
Replying to Richard Osman's story, one person said George Michael had once been seen in a cafe helping out a stranger who was crying because she was in debt. Not wanting her to know he was helping, he gave the waitress a cheque for £25,000 to give to her after he left.
Secretly volunteered at homeless shelter
It has also emerged that Michael was anonymously volunteering at a homeless shelter, and had asked other volunteers to keep it a secret. One revealed it after his death to show what a true philanthropist the man was.
Anonymously donated millions to Childline
Childline's founder and president Dame Esther Rantzen told the Press Association: "For years now he has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist, giving money to Childline, but he was determined not to make his generosity public so no-one outside the charity knew how much he gave to the nation's most vulnerable children.
"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."
Kept small charities afloat
One woman tweeted to say she had once spoken to someone from a charity who said they were "only afloat" because of Michael.
Supported NHS nurses
In 2006, Michael held a special free concert for NHS nurses to attend in north London. He announced he would be hosting the event as a special thank you to the nurses who had cared for his late mother. At the time, nurses who attended spoke to the BBC about how it made them feel.
Susan Steadman said: "He made all of us feel special. People do say thank you, but for George to say it publicly feels good." Ranjani Kendrick said: "I had the time of my life. It was such a vibrant atmosphere. I thank George Michael for making us feel appreciated. "We all were so touched by the comments he made. I am glad the work we do has not gone unnoticed." He's since given free seats away to NHS nurses at other concerts.
Donated his royalties
George Michael donated all the royalties from his 1996 number one single Jesus To a Child to charity. He performed on Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas.
Michael also donated the royalties from Last Christmas/Everything She Wants to Ethiopian famine relief, and proceeds from Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me went to Aids hospice London Lighthouse and the Rainbow Trust children's charity.
Saved John Lennon's piano
In the year 2000, George Michael bought John Lennon's piano - on which he composed 'Imagine' - for £1.45 million from a private collector, vowing to keep it in the UK. He then donated it to the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool so that it could be kept in Lennon's hometown forever.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Mirror
Talking to the BBC, Michael’s publicist had announced that the singer had passed away peacefully at home. Michael was best known for his 1980s hits Last Christmas, Freedom, Careless Whisper and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Amid tributes from celebrities and fans around the world also came some amazing stories of Michael being an incredible and humble philanthropist throughout his lifetime.
Singer George Michael dead at 53
Below is the list of tales emerging about the superstar complied by the The Daily Mirror.
Anonymously donated £15k for a woman's IVF treatment
Pointless presenter Richard Osman revealed that the star had anonymously donated £15,000 to a woman who couldn't afford IVF. Osman, who used to work as an executive producer on Deal or No Deal, shared the story on Twitter, saying: "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."
Donated £25k to a stranger in debt
Replying to Richard Osman's story, one person said George Michael had once been seen in a cafe helping out a stranger who was crying because she was in debt. Not wanting her to know he was helping, he gave the waitress a cheque for £25,000 to give to her after he left.
Secretly volunteered at homeless shelter
It has also emerged that Michael was anonymously volunteering at a homeless shelter, and had asked other volunteers to keep it a secret. One revealed it after his death to show what a true philanthropist the man was.
Anonymously donated millions to Childline
Childline's founder and president Dame Esther Rantzen told the Press Association: "For years now he has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist, giving money to Childline, but he was determined not to make his generosity public so no-one outside the charity knew how much he gave to the nation's most vulnerable children.
"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."
Kept small charities afloat
One woman tweeted to say she had once spoken to someone from a charity who said they were "only afloat" because of Michael.
Supported NHS nurses
In 2006, Michael held a special free concert for NHS nurses to attend in north London. He announced he would be hosting the event as a special thank you to the nurses who had cared for his late mother. At the time, nurses who attended spoke to the BBC about how it made them feel.
Susan Steadman said: "He made all of us feel special. People do say thank you, but for George to say it publicly feels good." Ranjani Kendrick said: "I had the time of my life. It was such a vibrant atmosphere. I thank George Michael for making us feel appreciated. "We all were so touched by the comments he made. I am glad the work we do has not gone unnoticed." He's since given free seats away to NHS nurses at other concerts.
Donated his royalties
George Michael donated all the royalties from his 1996 number one single Jesus To a Child to charity. He performed on Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas.
Michael also donated the royalties from Last Christmas/Everything She Wants to Ethiopian famine relief, and proceeds from Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me went to Aids hospice London Lighthouse and the Rainbow Trust children's charity.
Saved John Lennon's piano
In the year 2000, George Michael bought John Lennon's piano - on which he composed 'Imagine' - for £1.45 million from a private collector, vowing to keep it in the UK. He then donated it to the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool so that it could be kept in Lennon's hometown forever.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Mirror