Kirk Douglas Leaves $61 Million Dollar Fortune to Charity After His Passing

At 103-years-old, beloved actor and philanthropist, Kirk Douglas passed away on February 5th. 

His son, Michael, wrote, “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 humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to."

Michael did not receive any inheritance. Instead, that majority of Kirk's $61 million went to numerous charities and organizations that he supported throughout his life, including funding the Kirk Douglas Scholarship for underprivileged students at St. Lawrence University. Kirk grew up in poverty during the Great Depression and experienced poverty firsthand. 

His riches were also sent to Westwood's Sinai Temple, Culver City's Kirk Douglas Theater, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Throughout his life, he donated to many causes, including a $15 million donation to build the Kirk Douglas Care Pavilion to help care for Alzheimer's patients. 

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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. #KirkDouglas

A post shared by Michael Douglas (@michaelkirkdouglas) on

His son Michael posted a photo of his father on Instagram letting the world know his father has passed away and communicated his feelings after the loss of a man who was a pillar of selflessness and honor throughout his life. 

He concluded his homage to his father by saying, "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.'"

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