Chinese billionaire Yu Pengnian, gives away entire fortune to charity, leaving his family nothing

A Chinese self-made billionaire has decided to donate his entire £1.2 billion pound fortune to charity, leaving his wife and kids with nothing.  Yu Pengnian (pic above) a property mogul began his working life as a penniless driver but at  88, he’s one of the richest people in mainland China. Pengnian who decided to leave his family with nothing broke the news at a press conference.

                          Yu Pengnian said he 'doesn't care' what people think about his decision

His vast fortune will be given to a foundation he established five years ago to provide aid to his favourite causes including student scholarships, reconstruction work following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and operations for those, like him, who suffer from cataracts. Luckily for the eccentric philanthropist, who lives in the five star Panglin Hotel, in Shenzhen, his family are in full support of his decision, although he admits he would have given it all away with or without their backing. He said: “I don’t care what others think. It makes me happy to give my money away. I used to be poor.”