While some believe “more money, more problems,” NBA legend Michael Jordan seems to see it differently: More money means more to give.
What Jordan Said
During the filming of “Space Jam” in 1996, where Jordan starred alongside Looney Tunes characters and other celebrity athletes, actress Bebe Drake, who played a small role as Jordan’s housekeeper, received a priceless financial lesson from the basketball icon that stayed with her.
In a recent interview on the “Holdin Court” podcast, hosted by Big Court and released on Jan. 15, Drake shared a memorable conversation with Jordan that took place behind the scenes.
She spoke with Big Court and his co-host about her efforts to donate, despite not having a lot of money to give to organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Ships, UNICEF, Meals on Wheels, and the Salvation Army.
This lead to a conversation about Jordan while she was reminiscing about her time on “Space Jam.”
“He said to me, and I ain’t never gonna forget it, `Don’t you ever say you have enough money, because there’s not enough money in the world that you don’t have enough money,”‘ Drake said. “I looked at him like, ‘What the hell? Why would he say something like that?'”
The veteran actress later clarified what Jordan was attempting to convey.
“‘I’m saying to you, Ms. Drake, is the more money you have, the more money you can give. You’re the one wanting to build wealth and send them $200 to help or you can pay the $4,500 to build the well in the village.’ And I’ll never forget it.”‘
Drake has been donating small amounts of money to charity in Los Angeles County for about 20 years, stating that her breakthrough into Hollywood was a sign from God, which prompted her to pay it forward and get sober.
Drake has built a successful career as a guest star on various sitcoms, both on television and in movies, with an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million and $10 million. Her journey into acting began in 1975 with productions such as “Report to the Commissioner” and “Friday Foster.” She also had a supporting role opposite Richard Pryor in the 1977 comedy film “Which Way Is Up?” according to IMDb.
Jordan has donated millions of dollars to various charities, including Make-A-Wish, food banks, and social justice organizations. In February 2023, Jordan donated $10 million to Make-A-Wish, the largest individual donation in the organization’s history, ESPN reported. He has also been a Make-A-Wish chief wish ambassador and granted hundreds of wishes.
Jordan donated $2 million to food banks in Chicago and the Carolinas. On top of this, Jordan and his brand pledged $100 million over 10 years to support racial equality, social justice, and education for Black Americans, ESPN reported. They also launched a $1 million community grant program for social justice organizations
Jordan is the richest athlete in the world, amassing a net worth of about $3.5 billion.
