Krupp went on to indicate that Wilson was building up a hugely lucrative Wall Street portfolio “with the aim of bestowing his fortune during his lifetime”.
“Initially skeptical of the science of climate change, he quickly came to regard it as a critical challenge. He wanted carbon pollution cut in an efficient and sensible way, knowing that for a solution to be environmentally sustainable, it must also be economically sustainable.”
“Bob helped EDF grow with a pivotal $100 million challenge grant that inspired scores of others to increase their own giving,” Krupp continued. “I am personally grateful to Bob for his leadership and support over many years.”
Other beneficiaries of Wilson’s money include the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the World Monuments Fund, the Nature Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Society, each of which received $100 million before Wilson passed away.
“I realised that Catholic schools were closing all over the country, and Bill Gates probably didn’t have enough money to save them,” Wilson told Bloomberg News in 2010 when asked about his decision to donate such a large sum to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
Wilson was married to his only wife Marilyn for 35 years before they divorced. He is survived by his brother William, 88. He had no children.
Article Appeared @http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/tycoon-robert-wilson-gives-away-800million-fortune-before-plunging-to-death-in-suicide-9027278.html