When 93-year-old Ruth Gottesman lost her husband, David Gottesman, in 2022, she discovered a fortune that could have made her one of the wealthiest people in the world. But instead of keeping it, she made a decision that will change countless lives forever.
David Gottesman, a Wall Street powerhouse and early investor in Berkshire Hathaway, left behind an astonishing $1 billion legacy. And Ruth, rather than indulging in luxury, chose to honor her husband’s memory in the most selfless way imaginable—by donating the entire sum to Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.
@todayshow Students at Montefiore’s Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx got the surprise of a lifetime when they learned that tuition will be free for all students going forward thanks to a $1 billion donation from Ruth L. Gottesman, a former professor at the college. #TODAYShow #MorningBoost ♬ original sound – TODAY Show
The Bronx is one of New York City’s most financially disadvantaged boroughs, making this gift not just generous but transformative. Ruth’s donation is now the largest single gift ever given to a medical school in U.S. history.
What makes this act even more remarkable is that Ruth herself, a clinical professor emerita of pediatrics, didn’t even know the full extent of her late husband’s wealth. When the magnitude of his estate came to light, she decided to use it to make education accessible for those who needed it most.
Her donation ensures something extraordinary: tuition-free education for all new students starting this fall at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. It also covers tuition for current fourth-year students in their final semester. Considering that tuition at the college is more than $59,000 a year, this act will eliminate a significant barrier for aspiring doctors who might have otherwise been unable to afford medical school.
“This is about breaking down financial barriers,” Ruth said. As chair of the college’s board of trustees, she’s dedicated to ensuring the future of medical education remains inclusive and accessible.
Dr. Yaron Tomer, dean of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, called the donation a “game-changer” for the school. “This gift allows us to attract the best and brightest students, no matter their financial background,” he said. He believes it will inspire generations of physicians to serve communities with compassion and commitment, just as the school has always envisioned.
Ruth Gottesman’s generosity goes beyond money—it’s a message of hope, opportunity, and a belief in the power of education to change lives. Her story reminds us that, even in grief, we have the power to create something beautiful and enduring.
What would you do with $1 billion? Share this inspiring story with your friends and spark a conversation about how generosity can change the world.
