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New book reveals George Michael donated millions while keeping it secret
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George Michael secretly gave away millions — and didn’t want anyone to know.
The British singer-songwriter who first captured hearts with Wham! and later achieved worldwide success as a solo artist died on Christmas Day 2016. Known for his enduring hits and unmistakable voice, Michael also remained a fixture in the headlines for his often-public personal life.
While his public life was endlessly scrutinized, some of Michael’s most extraordinary deeds remained largely unknown. The late star, who would have turned 63 on June 25, is the subject of a new book, “Tonight the Music Seems So Loud.”
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Following George Michael’s death in 2016, the public learned the true extent of his quiet generosity. For years, he donated millions — often anonymously — to causes including children’s welfare, HIV/AIDS charities, homeless shelters and disadvantaged youth programs. He also funded IVF treatments, helped people in debt and supported countless individuals in need without seeking recognition. (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
“We will never know how much George Michael gave away because it was secret,” author Sathnam Sanghera told Fox News Digital.
“He died with a net worth of around 97 million pounds (more than $128 million), but I suspect a lot of that money is still being given away by his estate. The estate releases annual statements about the donations it has made. So his good work continues.”

George Michael, left, and Paul McCartney, right, perform during the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London, on July 2, 2005. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
For Sanghera, Michael’s greatest achievement was compassion. Throughout his life, Michael frequently donated to charities supporting disabled children, cancer research, refugees and AIDS-related causes, just to name a few.
He began supporting charities as early as the 1980s while he was in Wham!, and his dedication continued for the rest of his life. As he quietly made large donations, Michael ensured they remained out of the public eye.

“Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael” by Sathnam Sanghera is available now. (Pegasus Books)
“George Michael was an incredible secret philanthropist, and the secrecy is what made it great,” Sanghera explained. “We’re only just finding out some of his charitable acts. For example, he gave away the first few years of royalties from ‘Last Christmas,’ one of the most successful pop songs of all time, to Band Aid, a U.K. charity aimed at combating hunger and poverty.”
WATCH: GEORGE MICHAEL DONATED MILLIONS WITHOUT SEEKING CREDIT: AUTHOR
“He gave away the U.K. royalties from his ‘Best Of’ album in the 1990s,” Sanghera shared. “There are so many charities and individuals who have come forward to say, ‘He secretly paid for my IVF when he heard about my story on TV,’ for example.”

George Michael presents during the BRIT Awards held at the O2 Arena in London on Feb. 21, 2012. (Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
Michael didn’t just give money — he gave his time. At a homeless shelter in London, he served food, sat with guests and listened to their stories. The book recounts how he would show up in jeans and a baseball cap, preferring anonymity to recognition. If someone commented that he resembled George Michael, he would chuckle and insist he got that comparison all the time.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! perform in Japan in January 1985. (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
“His ex-boyfriend, Kenny Goss, has spoken about how he was given a job at every venue where George Michael played to identify a local charity and donate £20,000 to £30,000 to it,” Sanghera said.
“Often, it had to do with children or nurses. And he would also invite the staff and beneficiaries of that charity to attend the concert. This is the way in which his philanthropy was routine as part of what he did day-to-day.”

George Michael and his partner Kenny Goss are seen here in Tokyo. (Nathan Shanahan/WireImage)
In 1990, Michael established the Platinum Trust, where, with the help of his sister Yioda, he supported disabled people. Michael donated royalties from his 1991 duet with Elton John, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” to the Terrence Higgins Trust, a London-based HIV awareness organization, The Associated Press reported, as cited by NPR.

Fans lay tributes of flowers, photographs and candles outside the home of pop music icon George Michael in The Grove, Highgate, on Dec. 28, 2016, in London. (Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
According to the outlet, proceeds from 1996’s “Jesus to a Child” went to Childline. The founder of the organization went on to tell the outlet that Michael donated millions of dollars over the years and urged everyone in the charity to keep his acts private.
In 1999, when Michael performed at Net Aid to help refugees from Kosovo, he donated half a million pounds. Sanghera wrote that Michael was “annoyed” when the news leaked.

British singer-songwriter George Michael of Wham! sits in a Sydney hotel room during the pop duo’s 1985 world tour. (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
“There are so many stories about his generosity,” Sanghera told Fox News Digital. “There’s one story where his mother was sick with cancer at a local London hospital. After she passed, he put on a concert for all those nurses in the local community.”
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Princess Diana meets George Michael at the World AIDS Day annual “Concert of Hope” at Wembley Arena in London on Dec. 1, 1993. (Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images)
While his career soared and his personal life often played out in public, Michael continued supporting those in need.
“Along with Eric Clapton, he helped the family of Nigel Browne, a former bodyguard, win compensation after he was killed in a helicopter crash,” Sanghera wrote.

Linda Evangelista and George Michael pose during the “Too Funky” video shoot in Paris, circa 1992. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
“He helped Martin Kemp, whom he set up with Shirlie Holliman, get life-saving treatment for a brain tumor. He played benefit gigs, raising money and awareness for famine relief, World AIDS Day, refugees, debt relief and Project Angel Food, which provides food to vulnerable Los Angeles residents suffering from critical and life-threatening illnesses.

George Michael and Elton John attend a gala dinner on behalf of AIDS victims at the Moulin Rouge in Paris on Oct. 11, 1994. (Stephane Cardinale/Sygma)
“… One time, studio colleague Johnny Douglas talked about how Michael not only allowed him to take a terminally ill child to his home in the south of France, but also provided a helicopter to pick them up and drop them off in the garden.
“He bought friends and relatives houses and cars in striking quantities, provided some with employment, and I lose count of the number of people I meet who tell me he paid for medical bills, funerals and housing in times of crisis,” Sanghera wrote. “On his death, his significant art collection was sold, raising more than £11 million for charity.”

George Michael performs on stage during his “Faith” tour at Earls Court Arena in London on June 15, 1988. (Pete Still/Redferns)
Sanghera told Fox News Digital he was stunned by the sheer amount of money Michael donated over the years. As he researched, he also lost count of the people who came forward with stories of how the singer had helped them behind the scenes, far from the public eye. Many of those stories poured in after Michael’s death.
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George Michael died of natural causes as the result of heart disease and a fatty liver, a British coroner announced in 2017. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
“George Michael supported charities that weren’t necessarily glamorous for a pop star,” Sanghera said. “[Still], he gave away millions of pounds. His estate continues to support those charities in significant ways.”
In 1993, The Independent reported that Michael didn’t like to discuss his charity work. But that year, he was ready to talk, specifically about the charity album that he recorded for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an AIDS-fighting organization founded in honor of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

George Michael died on Dec. 25, 2016, at the age of 53. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
“Everyone’s got really p—– off listening to celebrities patting each other on the back saying how generous they are being,” he told the outlet at the time. “And they are right to. The reason I am doing this interview is to support the Phoenix Trust. It’s very important these tracks get heard.”

George Michael walks over the red carpet before the screening of “George Michael – A Different Story” at the Berlin Film Festival on Feb. 16, 2005. (Michael Kappeler/DDP/AFP)
Sanghera stressed that Michael was no saint. But the evidence of his generosity is undeniable. And when it comes to the lives he touched, it’s easy to have faith.
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Singer George Michael leaves The Ivy restaurant in Hollywood on Dec. 7, 2001. (Scott Alfieri/Getty Images)
“He wrote a song called ‘Praying for Time,’ and there’s a lyric in that song where he complains about charity being ‘a coat you wear twice a year,'” Sanghera said. “… Charity means more when it is sincerely meant, when you do it without hoping to get anything out of it. And that’s what George Michael did.”
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Multi-Vehicle Crash in Ocala Temporarily Closes Roads, Police Say | Miami Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Ocala police responded to a multi-vehicle crash Sunday night that temporarily blocked traffic at a busy intersection.
The August 23, 2026 collision occurred at South Pine Avenue and Southeast 17th Street. Authorities said no one involved suffered life-threatening injuries.
What Happened in the Ocala Multi-Vehicle Crash?
According to the Ocala Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of South Pine Avenue and Southeast 17th Street at approximately 10 p.m. Sunday.
Multiple vehicles were involved in the collision.
The crash blocked the roadways while police and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Authorities later confirmed that the roads had reopened.
Police said there were no life-threatening injuries among the people involved.
Officials have not released additional information regarding the number of vehicles or people involved.
Cause of the Crash Has Not Been Released
Authorities have not provided details about what caused the collision or the sequence of events leading up to it.
Multi-vehicle crashes can be particularly complicated because investigators may need to determine how the initial collision occurred and whether it triggered additional impacts.
Depending on the circumstances, investigators may examine vehicle positions and damage, roadway evidence, witness statements, traffic or surveillance camera footage and electronic data from the vehicles.
No citations or determinations regarding responsibility have been publicly announced.
Determining Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Liability can become complicated when several vehicles are involved in the same crash.
For example, one driver’s actions could cause an initial collision that pushes another vehicle into a third. In other circumstances, multiple drivers may have independently contributed to the accident.
Investigators may consider whether drivers were speeding, following too closely, distracted, impaired, failing to yield or otherwise violating traffic laws.
The available information does not indicate that any of these factors contributed to Sunday’s Ocala crash.
Although police reported no life-threatening injuries, people involved in motor vehicle accidents can sometimes experience symptoms that become more noticeable in the hours or days following a collision.
Depending on the force and circumstances of a crash, injuries may involve the neck, back, head, shoulders or other areas of the body.
Medical documentation can also become important if an injured person later needs to establish that treatment and expenses resulted from the collision.
Potential Compensation After a Florida Multi-Vehicle Crash
When another driver’s negligence causes an accident, an injured person may potentially have the right to seek compensation for accident-related losses.
Depending on the circumstances and severity of the injuries, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost income, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other losses available under Florida law.
Florida’s modified comparative negligence system can become particularly relevant in multi-vehicle accidents because responsibility may potentially be divided among more than one person.
The existence and value of any claim depend on the specific facts of the collision and the injuries involved.
Insurance Issues Can Be More Complicated With Multiple Vehicles
Crashes involving several vehicles can also involve multiple insurance policies.
Determining available coverage may require identifying each vehicle’s owner and driver, applicable liability policies and the role each vehicle played in the collision.
Florida’s no-fault insurance system can also affect how certain medical expenses and lost wages are initially handled following an accident.
For people who suffer more serious injuries, identifying every potentially responsible party and available source of insurance coverage can become especially important.
Preserving Evidence After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Evidence from the scene can help determine how a chain-reaction or multi-vehicle collision occurred.
Potentially relevant evidence may include:
- Photographs and videos from the crash scene
- Vehicle damage and final resting positions
- Witness statements
- Traffic and surveillance camera footage
- Dash-camera recordings
- Tire marks and roadway debris
- Electronic vehicle data
- Police reports
- Medical and emergency response records
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses can sometimes be overwritten relatively quickly, making timely preservation particularly important when the circumstances of a collision are disputed.
Roadways Reopen Following Ocala Crash
The intersection of South Pine Avenue and Southeast 17th Street has reopened following Sunday night’s multi-vehicle collision.
Ocala police said the crash occurred at approximately 10 p.m. and temporarily blocked the roadways while authorities responded.
No life-threatening injuries were reported. Officials have not released further information about what caused the crash or how many vehicles were involved.
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MLB Players’ Weekend 2026 Bats, Gear From Julio Rodriguez, Elly De La Cruz, More Revealed in Photos
Spider-Man, Star Wars, Skittles and Ninja Turtles, oh my!
This weekend is MLB Players’ Weekend, which allows players across the league to express their interests through their bats, gloves and cleats on the field.
It gives fans a unique glance at what the players like and is all for a charitable cause.
Here’s a look at some of the most notable looks from Julio Rodríguez, Cam Schlittler and more:
While the bats and gloves are interesting on their own, it is also for a good cause. Fans will have the chance to win the gear through MLB Auctions with the proceeds going to the charitable benefit of the players’ choice.
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Simi Valley football coach fired after kicking ball into student player’s groin during practice
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) — A high school football coach in Simi Valley was fired after a video surfaced showing him kicking a ball into a student athlete’s groin during a recent practice session.
After reviewing the incident, the Simi Valley Unified School District decided to fire Adam Brubaker as the football coach of Royal High School. The firing happened just hours before the school’s season-opening game Friday.
A school campus camera recorded the incident and Eyewitness News obtained the video. It appears to show a visibly upset Brubaker advancing toward a player and suddenly kicking a nearby football, striking the player in the groin and causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
“I kicked the ball and it hit him in the groin area and instantly I felt like I was going to pass out,” Brubaker told Eyewitness News. “I feel obviously a great deal of remorse for what happened. It’s a one in a million shot.”
Brubaker said the incident captured on video was an accident. He added that he became upset after one of the players violently pulled a running back to the ground, something he says is not allowed during drills because of risk of injury.
The video also shows other adults confronting the coach as they tend to the player.
Brubaker says he was not aiming at the player.
“When we finished practice, I went back over to him. I apologized,” Brubaker said.
A statement provided to Royal High School football families by the school’s principal on Friday says:
“I want to provide you with an update regarding our football program. The District has completed its review of the incident from earlier this week. As a result, the leadership of Royal High School’s football program will immediately change. Cody MacArthur will serve as Head Coach for the Royal High School football team tonight. An interim head coach will be named shortly. Our focus now is to support our student-athletes, provide stability for the program, and help the team move forward together. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding throughout this process and look forward to supporting our players and coaches for the remainder of the season. Go Highlanders!”
Brubaker says he understands the Simi Valley Unified School District’s decision to fire him.
“Nothing has been harder in my life than the last three days. It has been an absolute trying time for me, my wife, my kids,” said Brubaker.
A look of the school’s football coaching roster shows that the photo previously associated with Brubaker is no longer displayed on the team’s staff page. In its place, an empty image frame appears alongside the position typically listed for the varsity head coach, bearing the word “Vacant.”
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
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