It’s a good thing Madonna’s back on the road and making money again.
The pop star is one of the wealthiest entertainers in history. She’s certainly made millions this past year with her Celebration tour. Like over $100 million.
But in 2022, according to tax filings, Madonna cut her charitable donations to shreds. The total was just $328,713. The number is the lowest by far since I started reporting on her Ray of Light Foundation.
Most of the 2022 giving went to the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles, a cult organization that she’s supported for decades. In 2022 Kabbalah received Madonna’s highest donation, $100,000.
By contrast, Madonna gave only $5,000 to her good pal Rosie O’Donnell’s tremendous Rosie’s Broadway Kids school. That’s kind of astounding. Those Broadway kids are the real deal. Kabbalah is literally hocus pocus.
Madonna really cut her spending in 2022. In 2021, she gave over half a million dollars to various organizations. In 2020, the number was over $2 million. Half of the 2021 amount went to Bill Gates’s foundation, which was helping create the COVID vaccinations.
But times are tough when you’ve got several homes, stables, six kids, a lot of staff. Record sales are not what they used to be. And Madonna hadn’t toured since “Madame X.”
Especially hurt over the last couple of years: local Detroit community groups which I’m sure appreciated the hometown girl’s help. My guess is her 2024 report will show a dramatic increase in donations.
Now everyone will feel better about buying tickets to the “Celebration” tour this year.