Net worth: $825,000
Marc Kielburger and his brother Craig Kielburger started their first nonprofit when they were still kids. After 25 years, that small charity, called Free the Children, provides support to thousands of people all over the world.
Marc’s net worth is estimated at $825,000 with a salary of $125,000.
A Life Dedicated to Charity
From an early age, Marc knew what his goal in life would be. He wanted to make a difference through inspiring a generation of young people.
Marc and his brother initially called their charity Free the Children. It evolved into WE Movement, an organization focused on health care, clean water, and education. It has several programs including WE Charity, an international development and youth empowerment organization, ME to WE, a social enterprise, and WE Day, an annual youth empowerment event.
When he was 13, Marc volunteered in Jamaica through a school program. He worked at a hospice for teenage mothers and a home for elderly homeless people who suffered from leprosy.
His philanthropic experience continued. He volunteered at an AIDS hospice in Bangkok, Thailand when he was 18, and eventually graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, with a degree in International Relations. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and later completed his law degree at Oxford University, studying human rights law.
Brothers and Partners
While he was at Harvard, Marc received a message from his younger brother Craig. Craig told him about a newspaper story about the murder of a child labourer in Pakistan. The story was so motivating that Craig and Marc decided to make activism their life mission. They would go on to talk to world leaders, asking them to fight against the practice of child labour.
In 1995, Marc and Craig co-founded Free the Children, which eventually became WE Charity. Marc Kielburger also co-founded Leaders Today (now ME to WE), an organization that gives young people training and develops their skills and confidence to create social change.
In 2008, Marc and his brother were interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Show, launching a partnership with Oprah’s Angel Network. In 2015, Marc Kielburger was named Most Admired CEO in Canada in the Public Sector.
Education and Accomplishments
The parents of Marc Kielburger and brother Craig are Fred and Theresa Kielburger, who are school teachers. Marc is the older brother. The family lived in Thornhill, Ontario.
Marc attended Brebeuf College School in Toronto, and Neuchâtel Junior College in Switzerland. At Brebeuf, Marc learned debate, joining competitions hosted by the Ontario Pro-Con Debating Forum.
Marc is married to Roxanne Joyal, and has received international recognition for his philanthropic efforts.
Marc Kielburger is the recipient of the Order of Canada, and was selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the world’s Young Global Leaders.
Marc was also inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame for his humanitarian efforts.