Dear Warren:

I started with absolutely nothing and I’ve certainly lived the American Dream. Throughout my career I’ve had great financial success but approximately ten years ago I was fortunate to amass an extraordinary amount of wealth. At that time I decided to contribute the bulk of my wealth to philanthropic causes.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet and get to know a number of people who were, I would say, “cursed” with very large inheritances. While some have done great things with their inheritances, many have lost all incentive to accomplish anything on their own, and as a result have had much less fulfilling lives. I’ve often thought that while these folks had the disadvantage of the advantaged, I’ve had the advantage of the disadvantaged, having to learn to take care of and provide for myself at a very young age.

While you and I have been able to achieve financial success that just a generation ago would have been impossible, today too many Americans are in very difficult financial situations. We have a lot of work to do as a country to revitalize our economy, so that the opportunities I had are available to each and every American. Through our foundation, we hope to play a major role in helping to make a better America.

I got married for the first time at the age of 52. My wife, Mei Sze, and I now have three young sons. While I intend to provide them with financial security, the bulk of my estate will go to our foundation.

I did not come forward and discuss our commitment in 2010 because I was in the middle of a campaign for the US Senate here in Florida, and it would have looked like I was trying to exploit this for political gain. As I am not running for anything now, I am delighted to join you and the others that have publicly made this ‘giving pledge’. I am certain that your example has changed the way people the world over organize their estates and I am certainly proud to be a part of your group.

Very Truly Yours,