Stories Of George Michael’s Quiet Generosity Are Emerging After His Death

It’s all well and good to turn your nose up at the repeated calls of “fuck 2016,” but it is indisputable fact that this calendar year, easily more than any other in recent memory, has been fraught with the premature deaths of far too many important and beloved people.

And in losing David Bowie, Prince, and now George Michael, within 12 months we’ve endured the deaths of not only three of pop music’s most enduringly popular acts, but the three people who did more through their art to challenge and redefine the traditional notions of male sexuality than arguably any others. That’s significant, and the concept of a world suddenly without not just one, but all three, is heartbreaking.

Michael’s untimely passing on Christmas morning at the age of just 53 has sparked an outpouring of emotion from fans, friends, and admirers alike. Not only has the singer’s death prompted tribute for his musical talent and output, but previously untold stories of his remarkable and extremely quiet generosity as well.

British TV hose Richard Osman posted to Twitter, recounting a yarn in which a young woman had appeared on ‘Deal or No Deal,’ stating that she needed £15,000 for IVF treatment. Michael reportedly saw the episode, quietly phoned the studio, and anonymously gave the woman the money himself.

A woman on ‘Deal Or No Deal’ told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k.

— Richard Osman (@richardosman) December 26, 2016

Following that, more and more stories of Michael’s altruism emerged, efforts which he kept largely undocumented throughout his life.

George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter I was volunteering at. I’ve never told anyone, he asked we didn’t. That’s who he was

— EMILYNE MONDO (@EmilyneMondo) December 26, 2016

A lady from a children’s charity once told me they were only still afloat because of George Michael ? https://t.co/W0vs3QxN1E

— Kate Waugh (@katewaugh) December 26, 2016

@richardosman he gave a stranger in a cafe £25k as she was crying over debt. Told the waitress to give her the cheque after he left.

— VectorVictoria (@V3ct0rv1ct0r) December 26, 2016

I wrote in a piece ages ago about a celeb I’d worked with tipping a barmaid £5k because she was a student nurse in debt. Was George Michael.

— Sali Hughes (@salihughes) December 26, 2016

Michael, it was pointed out, was also the only contestant to appear on the celebrity charity version of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire‘ to state out loud that if he failed to win the charity extra money when gambling on a question, he’d simply match the lost sum himself.

George Michael’s charitable and giving nature was always a well-known factor of his personality. But the sheer depth of it, and the fact that he did much more than the public actually knew about, is truly something to marvel at.

In a year where we’ve lost some really, really good people, George Michael’s passing stings particularly hard.

But the staggering depth of his generosity is truly something to be marvelled at.

Rest well, George.

Source: Twitter.

Photo: MJ Kim/Getty.