Oprah Winfrey to donate $2 million to help rebuild the island nation of Puerto Rico
Oprah Winfrey.
Global icon Oprah Winfrey is donating $2 million to help rebuild Puerto Rico after the country was hit by devastating hurricane in 2017.
The money donated will be divided into two parts -- $1 million would go to support long-term needs after Hurricane Maria, and a further $1 million would be devoted to arts and culture programs on the island, according to a statement by The Hispanic Federation and the Flamboyan Arts Fund.
Oprah said she was was inspired by the efforts of musical theatre creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who took his hit stage show ‘Hamilton’ to the island for a limited run in January.
She said, "I was so moved by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s commitment to bring 'Hamilton' to Puerto Rico and support the community that served him growing up that I wanted to join in the revitalization efforts of an island so rich in culture, beauty and heritage.”
Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017 and killed an estimated 3,000 people in the US territory. It destroyed homes and infrastructure, and left much of the island without drinking water or electricity for months.