An heiress who has denounced the absence of taxes on wealth and inheritance in Austria has given the bulk of her money, 25 million euros ($27 million), to 77 organizations, including social and climate groups, as well as prominent left-wing ones.

Marlene Engelhorn, 32, has spent years criticizing the birth lottery by which she inherited tens of millions and does not have to give any of it to the state, calling for change in the system.

In January, she announced that a panel, selected by a pollster to be representative of the Austrian public, would decide how to distribute the sum without any intervention on her part. The list of 77 recipients was announced on Tuesday.

“A large part of my inherited wealth, which elevated me to a position of power simply by virtue of my birth, contradicting every democratic principle, has now been redistributed in accordance with democratic values,” Engelhorn said in a statement.

A spokesperson confirmed that the 25 million euros represented “the overwhelming bulk” of her wealth, though she retains an undisclosed sum.

The panel examined “above all the question of the effects of our uneven distribution of wealth” and debates on “democracy and participation in it, tax justice, and social inequality,” Engelhorn explained.

Engelhorn is a descendant of Friedrich Engelhorn, who founded German chemicals giant BASF in 1865. Her grandmother Gertraud Engelhorn-Vechiatto married his great-grandson. When Engelhorn-Vechiatto died in 2022, Marlene inherited a large sum.

One of the objectives the 50-person panel, aged between 16 and 85, aimed to support was “a fairer distribution of wealth, more transparency and reporting on that issue, and better data on very large accumulations of wealth,” said panel member Elisabeth Klein, a retail employee, in a statement.

In support of that aim, two of the four donations of more than a million euros went to the Momentum Institute, a left-wing think-tank, and Attac Austria, which opposes neoliberal economic policy and “deregulated financial markets.”

The donations ranged from 40,000 euros—for an initiative to support data-based reporting on climate change—to 1.6 million euros for the Austrian Nature Conservation Federation.

Other issues covered included housing, integration, women’s rights, and fighting poverty.

Engelhorn has been vocal about her belief that wealth should be more equitably distributed and that the current system, which allows immense fortunes to be passed down untaxed, exacerbates social inequalities. She has advocated for higher taxes on wealth and inheritance to create a fairer society.

Her actions have sparked significant discussion in Austria about the ethics of wealth inheritance and the role of taxation in addressing economic disparity. Engelhorn's donation and the process by which it was distributed aim to highlight these issues and push for policy changes.

“Now, it is up to the political actors to do justice to what this group representative of the Austrian population has embodied,” Engelhorn said, calling for more debate on these issues.

Her gesture has been lauded by many as a courageous step towards addressing wealth inequality and supporting critical social and environmental causes. By allowing a diverse panel of ordinary Austrians to decide the allocation of her fortune, Engelhorn has set a precedent for transparency and public participation in philanthropic endeavors.

The donations have been allocated to a wide range of initiatives, reflecting the panel's broad understanding of societal needs. In addition to the significant contributions to the Momentum Institute and Attac Austria, funds have also been directed towards organizations working on housing issues, which remain a pressing concern in many parts of Austria. Projects aimed at improving integration and supporting immigrant communities also received substantial backing, as did groups advocating for women's rights and combating poverty.

The Austrian Nature Conservation Federation's receipt of 1.6 million euros underscores the importance of environmental protection and sustainable practices. This donation is expected to support numerous conservation projects and efforts to combat climate change, aligning with Engelhorn's commitment to addressing ecological concerns.

Engelhorn's actions have not only provided immediate financial support to these organizations but have also ignited a broader conversation about the responsibilities of the wealthy and the potential for systemic change. Her call for increased transparency and better data on wealth accumulation aims to inform future policies that can more effectively address economic disparities.

As the political landscape evolves, Engelhorn's donation and advocacy efforts are likely to continue influencing debates around wealth distribution and social justice in Austria. The impact of her contributions will be monitored closely, both by the organizations that received the funds and by the public, as a measure of the potential for philanthropy to drive meaningful change.

This act of redistribution by Engelhorn is a significant step in challenging the status quo and promoting a more equitable distribution of resources. Her bold stance serves as a reminder of the power of individual actions to inspire collective change and highlights the importance of addressing systemic issues to create a more just and fair society.