Ranking second on the list of philanthropists is Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel Corporation, and his wife Betty Moore.

After donating US$275 million to environmental protection research in 2004, their total donations in five years have reached US$7.046 billion.

Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the United States, investment banker and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, donated all the US$2.5 billion worth of stocks held by his ex-wife after his wife Susie passed away in July this year.

Giving to his charitable foundation made his ranking jump from 26th to third on the philanthropist rankings, with total donations in the middle of the year reaching US$2.721 billion.

American financial investor George Sorosh ranks fourth on the list with donations of US$2.301 billion from 2000 to 2004.

He is closely followed by James Stowers, founder of American Century Corporation, who has donated US$1.346 billion in the past five years.

New faces on the list include the famous American TV host Oprah Winfrey, who donated US$151 million to charity in five years and became the first African American to appear on the "Business Week" philanthropist list.

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In addition, the famous American actress Angelina Jolie donated US$1 million to Afghan refugees and pledged to donate US$5 million to Cambodia in order to fulfill her duties as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.

The famous filmmaker Spielberg has also donated $65 million to Jewish foundations and groups in recent years.

Movie star Michelle J. Fox, who herself suffers from Parkinson's disease, has donated more than $50 million in research funds to medical research institutions.

Actor Bill Cosby has also donated more than $20 million to academia.