With total donations value estimated at US$102.4bn, Mumbai-based Jamsetji Tata (1839-1904), was the world’s biggest philanthropist of the last century.

The world’s 50 most generous individuals in the last century came from five countries, overwhelmingly led by the US with 39, followed by 5 from the UK, 3 from China, 2 from India and 1 from Portugal and Switzerland. Their donations amounted to US$832bn, of which US$503bn are in foundations today and US$329bn have been disbursed in the last century.

With 38 philanthropists USA topped the list of countries, followed by the UK with 5 and China with 3.

The average age of the Top 50 foundations is 58 years. Nearly 66% of the Top 50 philanthropic institutions are managed by founders or founding family members and the remaining 34% managed by professional managers without the involvement of founding family members.