Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez pledge $100 million to wildfire victims
![Maui's wealthiest resident, Jeff Bezos, and his partner, Lauren Sanchez, have announced a donation of $100 million to assist the victims of the Maui wildfires. In a statement from Sanchez, she expressed their heartbreak over the situation and their commitment to helping the affected families and community. She highlighted the immediate and long-term needs, emphasizing their dedication to supporting Maui's recovery through the creation of a fund. The $100 million donation aims to aid Maui in its recovery efforts in both the present and the years to come.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74229239-12398777-Maui_s_wealthiest_resident_Jeff_Bezos_and_his_partner_Lauren_San-a-134_1692024190320.jpg)
Maui's wealthiest resident, Jeff Bezos, and his partner, Lauren Sanchez, have announced a donation of $100 million to assist the victims of the Maui wildfires. In a statement from Sanchez, she expressed their heartbreak over the situation and their commitment to helping the affected families and community. She highlighted the immediate and long-term needs, emphasizing their dedication to supporting Maui's recovery through the creation of a fund. The $100 million donation aims to aid Maui in its recovery efforts in both the present and the years to come.
![Bezos owns property on the islands, alongside stars such as Oprah, Larry Ellison, Clint Eastwood, and Steven Tyler. Before their announcement, Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez expressed her heartbreak over the fires on Instagram. The 59-year-old Amazon CEO possesses a three-building estate on La Perouse Bay on Valley Isle in Maui, estimated to be worth $78 million. With a net worth of $162 billion, he ranks as the third richest individual globally.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74228813-12398777-Bezos_owns_property_on_the_islands_alongside_stars_such_as_Oprah-a-129_1692024188902.jpg)
Bezos owns property on the islands, alongside stars such as Oprah, Larry Ellison, Clint Eastwood, and Steven Tyler. Before their announcement, Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez expressed her heartbreak over the fires on Instagram. The 59-year-old Amazon CEO possesses a three-building estate on La Perouse Bay on Valley Isle in Maui, estimated to be worth $78 million. With a net worth of $162 billion, he ranks as the third richest individual globally.
![Oprah, with a net worth of $2.5 billion, possesses nearly 2,000 acres of land on Maui, where she has lived part-time for 15 years. It remains uncertain if any of her land sustained damage. In March of this year, she acquired the most recent parcel, comprising 860 acres, for $6.6 million. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Owen Wilson, and Clint Eastwood also own homes on the island. The Maui fire represents the most severe natural disaster to hit Hawaii since a 1960 tsunami that claimed 61 lives. If the death toll, which is expected to rise, continues to climb, it will surpass this tragic record, becoming the deadliest in Hawaii's history.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74183575-12398777-Oprah_with_a_net_worth_of_2_5_billion_possesses_nearly_2_000_acr-a-133_1692024190318.jpg)
Oprah, with a net worth of $2.5 billion, possesses nearly 2,000 acres of land on Maui, where she has lived part-time for 15 years. It remains uncertain if any of her land sustained damage. In March of this year, she acquired the most recent parcel, comprising 860 acres, for $6.6 million. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Owen Wilson, and Clint Eastwood also own homes on the island. The Maui fire represents the most severe natural disaster to hit Hawaii since a 1960 tsunami that claimed 61 lives. If the death toll, which is expected to rise, continues to climb, it will surpass this tragic record, becoming the deadliest in Hawaii's history.
![The Maui wildfire is also heading towards becoming the deadliest wildfire in recent US history. In the past century, only the Camp fire in California took more lives than the current count, resulting in a total of 68 victims. Following Tuesday's catastrophic fire in Maui, 1,000 individuals are still unaccounted for, while the death toll has reached 55 thus far. Anticipated to rise, the count will increase as search teams sift through homes, or their remnants, in search of victims. The town of Lahaina on the island was engulfed by the fire, resulting in the destruction of not only homes but also cell phone towers and other structures.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74154817-12398777-The_Maui_wildfire_is_also_heading_towards_becoming_the_deadliest-a-128_1692024188897.jpg)
The Maui wildfire is also heading towards becoming the deadliest wildfire in recent US history. In the past century, only the Camp fire in California took more lives than the current count, resulting in a total of 68 victims. Following Tuesday's catastrophic fire in Maui, 1,000 individuals are still unaccounted for, while the death toll has reached 55 thus far. Anticipated to rise, the count will increase as search teams sift through homes, or their remnants, in search of victims. The town of Lahaina on the island was engulfed by the fire, resulting in the destruction of not only homes but also cell phone towers and other structures.
![The absence of phone service, along with the lack of internet, water, and power, has left the town in a dire situation. Additionally, rescue teams are unable to reach the area to provide assistance. Lauren Henrie from Maui Rescue Mission conveyed, 'As a local nonprofit, we can't even access anything west of Maalaea. West Maui is entirely cut off from communication and power. This situation is dynamic, but this is essentially what we are observing on a local level.' Today's announcement revealed that West Maui residents, who can substantiate their residency, will gain access to Lahaina later in the day.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74225205-12398777-The_absence_of_phone_service_along_with_the_lack_of_internet_wat-a-131_1692024189105.jpg)
The absence of phone service, along with the lack of internet, water, and power, has left the town in a dire situation. Additionally, rescue teams are unable to reach the area to provide assistance. Lauren Henrie from Maui Rescue Mission conveyed, 'As a local nonprofit, we can't even access anything west of Maalaea. West Maui is entirely cut off from communication and power. This situation is dynamic, but this is essentially what we are observing on a local level.' Today's announcement revealed that West Maui residents, who can substantiate their residency, will gain access to Lahaina later in the day.
![Security measures are in place in the heavily impacted historic town, including restricted access and a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. These actions aim to safeguard residences and property. Michael Havoc Thomas, a military veteran and owner of HAVOC, a private rescue and training company in Hawaii, described the devastation as comparable to WW2 flamethrowers and Vietnam napalm, emphasizing the severity of the situation.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74156401-12398777-Security_measures_are_in_place_in_the_heavily_impacted_historic_-a-135_1692024190322.jpg)
Security measures are in place in the heavily impacted historic town, including restricted access and a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. These actions aim to safeguard residences and property. Michael Havoc Thomas, a military veteran and owner of HAVOC, a private rescue and training company in Hawaii, described the devastation as comparable to WW2 flamethrowers and Vietnam napalm, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
![Barack Obama, who grew up in Honolulu and owns a home on the Big Island, released a statement last night along with a link to the local community fundraising effort. He expressed empathy for the difficult situation and shared that he and Michelle are thinking of those affected. He encouraged people to support the relief efforts, saying, "If you’d like to help, you can do so here."](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74203137-12398777-Barack_Obama_who_grew_up_in_Honolulu_and_owns_a_home_on_the_Big_-a-136_1692024192727.jpg)
Barack Obama, who grew up in Honolulu and owns a home on the Big Island, released a statement last night along with a link to the local community fundraising effort. He expressed empathy for the difficult situation and shared that he and Michelle are thinking of those affected. He encouraged people to support the relief efforts, saying, "If you’d like to help, you can do so here."
![Jason Momoa, who is from Honolulu, also appealed for help for the island's residents. 'We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and 'ohana on Maui who been impacted by the recent wildfires.' Momoa has repeatedly shared links to the fundraising efforts. Bette Midler, who also has a home in Hawaii, tweeted about the ongoing disaster effort.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74171397-12398777-Jason_Momoa_who_is_from_Honolulu_also_appealed_for_help_for_the_-a-130_1692024188907.jpg)
Jason Momoa, who is from Honolulu, also appealed for help for the island's residents. 'We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and 'ohana on Maui who been impacted by the recent wildfires.' Momoa has repeatedly shared links to the fundraising efforts. Bette Midler, who also has a home in Hawaii, tweeted about the ongoing disaster effort.
![And Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Brosnan, who have a home on Kauai, have called for support. 'My sincere and heartfelt prayers for Maui, the Hawaiian community, residents, families and animals affected by these unprecedented wildfires,' Keely posted on Instagram. 'If you are able, please consider making a donation to the Hawaii/Maui Community Foundation to help those in need.' Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12398609/Jeff-Bezos-Lauren-Sanchez-donate-100-million-dollars-help-Maui-wildfire-victims.html?ito=msngallery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/14/15/74183173-12398777-And_Pierce_Brosnan_and_his_wife_Keely_Shaye_Brosnan_who_have_a_h-a-132_1692024189111.jpg)
And Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Brosnan, who have a home on Kauai, have called for support. 'My sincere and heartfelt prayers for Maui, the Hawaiian community, residents, families and animals affected by these unprecedented wildfires,' Keely posted on Instagram. 'If you are able, please consider making a donation to the Hawaii/Maui Community Foundation to help those in need.' Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12398609/Jeff-Bezos-Lauren-Sanchez-donate-100-million-dollars-help-Maui-wildfire-victims.html?ito=msngallery
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