Greta Thunberg: Net worth, philanthropy & lifestyle of 22-year-old climate activist at center of Gaza Flotilla row

As global attention focuses on the Madleen, a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, climate activist Greta Thunberg once again finds herself at the center of international headlines. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which launched its latest mission in June 2025 to deliver aid to Gaza, recently faced fresh complications. The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a video showing passengers aboard the Madleen, including Thunberg, amid reports that Israeli forces had intercepted the vessel.

Thunberg and other FFC members, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, claimed they were “kidnapped” when the ship was intercepted. Hassan posted a photo showing passengers in life jackets with their hands raised. Israeli officials later confirmed that the aid vessel had been diverted to Israel and stated that all those onboard, including Thunberg, were safe. However, Greta has not yet publicly disclosed her current whereabouts.

At just 22 years old, Thunberg has become one of the most recognizable climate activists in the world. She first gained attention in 2018 when she began protesting outside the Swedish Parliament at age 15, holding a sign that read “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (School strike for climate). Her solo protest sparked a global movement, “Fridays for Future,” which saw students across the world skipping school on Fridays to demand action on climate change. Her impassioned speeches at forums such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference and the European Parliament earned her international acclaim, including being named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2019 and multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

Despite her fame and influence, Thunberg’s net worth remains modest. As of 2025, various estimates place her net worth between $1 million and $2 million. This includes income from book royalties, public speaking engagements, and award stipends. Yet Thunberg has consistently chosen to donate most of her earnings to causes aligned with her activism. One notable example is her decision to donate the €1 million prize from the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity to organizations such as Fridays for Future Brazil and the Stop Ecocide Foundation.

Thunberg has authored bestselling works including No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference and The Climate Book. Though these books have sold millions of copies globally, she has pledged all profits to environmental initiatives. She has also appeared at major events like the UN Climate Action Summit and COP24, but she does not accept any fees for her speaking engagements. Instead, any funds associated with her appearances are redirected to environmental organizations.

Her media presence extends to documentaries such as I Am Greta and the docuseries Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World. While these projects have brought significant attention, Thunberg has ensured any financial proceeds are channeled into her foundation or donated to relevant causes.

The Greta Thunberg Foundation, founded in 2020, is the central vehicle for her philanthropic work. It receives and manages funds from her books, speeches, and awards, distributing them to organizations fighting climate change and supporting humanitarian efforts. Some notable donations include $100,000 to UNICEF for COVID-19 relief and €100,000 to Brazil’s SOS Amazonia campaign.

True to her values, Thunberg lives a minimalist and environmentally conscious lifestyle. She avoids luxury purchases, refrains from flying, and uses eco-friendly transportation methods. Her lifestyle reflects her unwavering dedication to climate action and her belief that living sustainably is as crucial as activism itself.

In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and her participation in the Gaza flotilla, Greta Thunberg continues to demonstrate her willingness to risk comfort and safety for the causes she believes in—emphasizing, once again, that her mission is about impact, not income.