Michael Sheen Says He's Given Away Most of His Fortune
The actor, known for his roles in 'The Queen' and 'Good Omens,' has described himself as a 'not-for-profit' individual.
Michael Sheen, the actor recognized for his roles in "The Queen" and "Good Omens," has revealed that he has donated the majority of his earnings.
Sheen, 57, has previously characterized himself as a "not-for-profit" actor. He has reportedly sold homes to fund a homelessness project and once used £100,000 of his personal funds to anonymously clear strangers' debts.
The actor stated that his perspective on money developed during his teenage years when he was indifferent to having wealth. He now prioritizes having sufficient resources for a comfortable life with his family.
Sheen, who is father to daughter Lily-Rose, 27, with ex-partner Kate Beckinsale, and two younger daughters, Lyra and Mabli, with his current partner Anna Lundberg, shared his sentiment. "At 18, I didn't care whether I had money or not," he said. "I wasn't living in poverty, but I made do with what I had. As with many things in my life, I've gone away and then come back home, back to the point where I started."
Speaking to Saga Magazine, Sheen elaborated on his financial philosophy. "I've been very lucky that I've been able to earn a lot of money, but either on purpose or accidentally, I've ended up giving pretty much all of it away." He added that even at 57, he remains unconcerned with material possessions, focusing instead on ensuring his family's well-being.
"I want to make sure my family are all right and we've got a roof over our heads and all the rest of it, but I do feel the same way at 57 as I did at 18 about this. I never would have anticipated that," he said.
Sheen also reflected on how fatherhood has changed his perspective. "For all it was a rollercoaster ride and for all my failings, it just changes you so much. My experience of life is completely different for having been a parent." He noted that he still possesses his youthful ambition but without the accompanying insecurity.
"When I was a young 'un, thinking about people who I saw as really old, like over 30, I used to think the tragedy would be to lose your ambition and your desire to change the world," he explained. "I realise now that's not what goes on at all. You can hold on to those desires. I still have them as keenly, if not more so. But I've been able to let go of a lot of the insecurities that get in the way, or that maybe manifest in a way that's obnoxious."