If you were to ask anyone for money, a billionaire would likely be your first choice. Figures such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates earn thousands of dollars a minute, so requesting $1,000 from these tech giants is trivial for them.
Sir Richard Branson, with a net worth of around $2.7 billion this year, falls into the same category. Branson amassed his fortune through Virgin Group, covering diverse sectors from mobile networks and gyms to airlines and radio stations.
Bearing this in mind, an individual took a bold step and asked the 74-year-old Branson for $1,000. Australian comedian and radio host Hamish Blake recounted that a member of his radio show team made the request during Branson’s appearance on their show.
About month ago I spoke about an initiative called ‘A Land for All’ – a bold vision created by Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs to not simply co-exist, but to flourish and prosper. It’s urgent for both sides to come together and find a solution to this conflict, and we need an… pic.twitter.com/OumfEbK5Mg
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 2, 2024
Blake shared, “We had Richard Branson on the show, and one of our team members, Jack, basically said to him, ‘You are a billionaire. Can we just go to the ATM downstairs and you give me $1,000? It’s nothing to you but it’ll change my month.’” While many would expect such a casual request to be met with laughter, Branson’s response was surprising.
“There’s something I’d give you all my money for,” Branson reportedly said. “Your age.” Blake continued, “I was intrigued. Jack was 22, and we asked, ‘What do you mean by that?’” Branson explained, “I’d happily be broke and 22 than a billionaire and 68,” or whatever his age was at the time.
Blake mentioned that Branson’s reply has stuck with him, often reflecting on it. “At any age, if we had $10 million and were 90 years old, of course, we’d give $10 million to be 40 again,” Blake added. Blake shared this story on ABC’s The Assembly.
While the comedian found Branson’s words profound, others were less impressed. One person commented on YouTube, “Nice way for Branson to dodge the original question. Also, rich people don’t stay rich by giving their money away.”
Another noted, “For someone who grew up poor, money does change lives. People treat you differently, you have fewer opportunities, and even at 22, youth doesn’t keep a roof over your head.” What are your thoughts?
What Other Media Are Saying
- Reddit AMA – Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder
Richard Branson shares his thoughts on space travel, overcoming dyspraxia, and the progress of Virgin Galactic.(read more) - Inc. explores what Arianna Huffington and Richard Branson would tell their 22-year-old selves, emphasizing the importance of relaxation and prioritizing what truly matters.(read more)
- The Assembly provides an overview of Hamish Blake’s life, including his successful career, family life, and the life-changing advice he received from Richard Branson, which emphasizes the importance of youth and the limitations of material wealth.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Richard Branson give Hamish Blake’s team member $1,000?
What did Richard Branson say he’d trade all his money for?
He said he’d trade all his money for youth.
How did Branson respond to being asked for $1,000?
He said he’d rather be young again than have money.
What field is Hamish Blake involved in?
He is an Australian comedian and radio host.
What sentiment did Richard express about age?
He expressed that he’d prefer to be young and broke.