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What Is Greta Thunberg Net Worth’ Net Worth
Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist who began advocating for climate change mitigation at the age of 15, has become a prominent figure in the global climate movement. Despite her high profile and influence, various online rumors and misinformation campaigns have circulated regarding her financial status. These rumors often falsely portray her as a multi-millionaire, supposedly accumulating wealth through speaking fees, book sales, and a substantial inheritance. However, these claims are largely unsubstantiated.
Greta Thunberg’s Estimated Net Worth
As of early 2025, Greta Thunberg’s net worth is estimated to be around $100,000. This figure is based on available information regarding her assets and income, and stands in stark contrast to the inflated figures propagated by online rumors. While some sources estimate her net worth to be around $1 million to $2 million, these estimations often fail to account for Thunberg’s commitment to donating her earnings to charity and her lack of personal profit from activism. In fact, Greta does not make any personal profit from her activism but clarifies that her financial support comes from a student grant intended for her university education. She further states that she will not personally profit from her new book. This commitment aligns with her broader philosophy of prioritizing activism over material wealth.
Debunking the Millionaire Rumors
Numerous websites and social media posts have made claims about Greta Thunberg’s wealth, with some alleging that her net worth is as high as $18 million, including a supposed $10 million inheritance. These claims often originate from unreliable sources, such as a spammy website called “caclubindia.com,” which also falsely stated that Thunberg owns multiple properties, a yacht, and a collection of art and antiques. The article further fabricated claims that Greta takes over 90 private jet trips a year, received a BMW X5 as a gift on her 18th birthday, “possesses a Tesla Model-X and a Range Rover” and is paid $250,000 per speaking event. However, investigations into these claims have revealed them to be baseless, with no supporting evidence found in Swedish income tax records, which are publicly accessible. These records indicate that while Thunberg’s parents may be considered comfortably upper-middle class in Sweden, they are not millionaires.
Sources of Funds and Income
Greta Thunberg’s primary sources of funds are related to awards and prizes she has received for her activism. Any money associated with awards or prizes Greta receives is donated to the Greta Thunberg Foundation. The Foundation donates all such funds to support causes in line with its mission. As per October 2022, the Foundation has received EUR 1,235,000 in award and prize money and donated EUR 1,235,000 (taking exchange rates and bank transfer fees into account). Specifically, in 2020, she was awarded one million Euros from the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity which she donated to environmental campaigns and other causes through the Greta Thunberg Foundation. She also received approximately $100,000 from Human Act, which she donated to UNICEF.
Another source of funds for Greta Thunberg comes from book sales and royalties. She is the author of several books, including “The Climate Book,” published in February 2023, which features contributions from over 100 experts on climate change. Thunberg has explicitly stated that she does not personally profit from these book sales, instead donating all royalties to her foundation or other charitable causes. As of October 2022, the earnings from the book, after tax, have amounted to SEK 3,439,238. This complete amount has been donated to six different organisations: Greenpeace, WWF, Lära med Djur, Fältbiologerna, Naturskyddsföreningen, and Djurens Rätt.
Speaking Engagements: No Fees Charged
Contrary to widespread rumors, Greta Thunberg does not charge any fees for her speaking engagements. She has repeatedly confirmed this in public statements, including a June 2019 tweet where she stated that she does not charge “a cent” for her speaking fees. Instead, she uses these platforms to raise awareness about climate change and advocate for policy changes. This altruistic approach has further solidified her credibility and influence among supporters worldwide. Greta herself confirmed this point in June 2019 Tweet in which she said she does not charge “a cent” for her speaking fees AND her income from book sales goes to charity.
The Greta Thunberg Foundation
Established in 2019, the Greta Thunberg Foundation serves as a transparent mechanism for managing and distributing funds received through awards, royalties, and donations linked to Thunberg’s activism. The foundation’s mission is to promote ecological, climatic, and social sustainability, aligning with Thunberg’s values and the goals of her activism. The Foundation supports a variety of projects and organizations that work towards a just and sustainable world. The foundation was founded by Greta’s parents, Malena Ernman and Svante Thunberg as Greta was a minor at the time.
As of October 2022, the Foundation has received EUR 1,235,000 in award and prize money and donated EUR 1,235,000 (taking exchange rates and bank transfer fees into account). This includes donations to UNICEF to support efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and protect children, as well as donations to support climate activists from MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) to attend the Stockholm +50 environmental conference. The decisions about donations are taken by the Foundation’s board. Greta is not a member of the Foundation’s board and she does not administer the Foundation.
Financial Transparency and Management
The Greta Thunberg Foundation operates with a high degree of financial transparency. The foundation’s full financial information is available in annual reports, which provide details on income, expenses, and donations. The foundation uses “Ekobanken” as its house bank. Ekobanken is the highest ranking Swedish bank regarding sustainability, according to the Fair Finance Guide, and a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. The Foundation has no money invested in stocks, bonds, shares or equity funds.
Addressing Misinformation
The spread of misinformation regarding Greta Thunberg’s net worth and financial activities highlights the challenges faced by public figures, particularly those involved in activism. False claims and rumors can be used to discredit their work and undermine their credibility. In Thunberg’s case, the exaggeration of her wealth appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine her message and portray her as hypocritical. Therefore, it is crucial to rely on credible sources and verified information when assessing the financial status of public figures and to be wary of unsubstantiated claims circulating online.
Accolades
Greta Thunberg has been the recipient of myriad awards and honors in recognition of her activism. Among them, she has been named Swedish Woman of the Year and Time Person of the Year; received the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society; and won the Rachel Carson Prize, the Laudato si’ Prize, the Ambassador of Conscience Award, the Geddes Environment Medal, and the International Children’s Peace Prize. Thunberg was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in four consecutive years (2019-2022). In 2020, she won the inaugural Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity.
