Warren buffet, bill gates
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett (L) plays table tennis with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates in Omaha May 5, 2013. Reuters/Rick Wilking

Successful businessman-investor Warren Buffet has been named as America’s leading philanthropist for 2015, donating more than double the amount that Bill and Melinda Gates pledged to charity last year.

According to Forbes magazine, the 86-year-old CEO of Berkshire Hathaway gave away US$2.8 billion (AU$3.6 billion) while the 60-year-old Microsoft founder and his wife distributed US$1.4 billion (AU$1.8 billion) through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

However, it is worthy to note that the richest couple in the world have so far donated US$32.9 billion (AU$42.7 billion) to charity, while Buffett contributed US$25.5 billion (AU$ 33.2 billion) by the end of 2015.

Mr. Gates remains wealthiest person on Earth with US$81.8 billion (AU$106.3 billion) real-time net worth. Meanwhile, Buffett slid to the third rank on the Forbes 400 list with US$65.1 billion (AU$84.6 billion) real-time net worth as 52-year-old founder of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos, rose to become the second richest person with US$70.4 billion (AU$91.5 billion).

During the last US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Republican nominee kept referencing on Buffett’s strategy on tax deductions. (Read: Donald Trump net worth drops to $4.8 B - Forbes)

But for purposes of acknowledging generous individuals and couples, here’s the ranking of America’s top philantrophist of 2015.

  1. Warren Buffet: 2015 US$2.8 billion (AU$3.6 billion)
  2. Bill and Melinda Gates: US$1.4 billion (AU$1.8 billion)
  3. George Soros: US$654 million (AU$850 million)
  4. Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson: US$513 million (AU$667 million)
  5. Michael Bloomberg: US$510 million (AU$663 million)
  6. Pierre Omidyar: US$431 million (AU$560 million)
  7. Chuck Feeney: US$427 million (AU$555 million)
  8. Walton Family: US$375 million (AU$3.6 million)
  9. Hansjoerg Wyss: US$330 million (AU429 million)
  10. James and Marilyn Simons: US$298 million (AU$387 million)