Simon Cowell was honored with Variety - The Children's Charity's prestigious Humanitarian Award at the Variety World Conference at the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa on May 23.
Since 1938, Variety International’s Humanitarian Award has annually been awarded to a person who has shown incredible dedication in the support of humankind.
Variety International recognize Simon Cowell has utilized his position in the entertainment industry, in business and his international profile as a fundraising tool to support many charities and individuals around the world and has helped transform many lives of those in need.
As Creator and Judge of the biggest selling TV entertainment formats The X Factor and Got Talent, and through his TV and record company Syco, Simon has raised many millions of dollars for numerous causes worldwide in both collaborative and personal projects.
In recent months, Simon initiated the release of a star-studded version of ‘Everybody Hurts’ in direct response to the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti. The single became the fastest selling charity single of the century benefiting the 12 charities supported by the Disasters Emergency Committee and Helping Haiti for UNICEF.
The annual charity single released by The X Factor’s twelve finalists has raised over $4 million in recent years for the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and the Help for Heroes campaign.
As Patron of Children’s Hospices UK, Simon dedicates time and support to raising money for thousands of life limited children and their families. Amongst many other charities supported by Simon, some include the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the Centre for Environmental Education and the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund.
In addition, animal welfare charities including PETA, WSPA, ARK and the Battersea Dogs Home, all benefit from his continued generosity and passion for protecting animals from cruelty and neglect.
In his capacity as a judge on American Idol, Simon has contributed to helping raised over $140 million for charities through ‘Idol Gives Back’, including the Children's Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.
The previous recipients of The Humanitarian Award bares testament to the fact that it is recognized as one of the highest accolades that can be bestowed: Dr. Albert Schweizer, Sir Alexander Fleming, Sir Winston Churchill, Dr Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Arnold Palmer, Sammy Davis Jr, Dame Vera Lynne, HRH Duke Of Edinburgh, Buzz Aldrin, Jerry Lewis, Sir Roger Moore and Sir Edmund Hillary are notable among the names of past recipients.
Julia Morley, International President of Variety, The Children’s Charity, said: “Variety International is proud to honor Simon Cowell, with its highest accolade, The Humanitarian Award. Simon does incredible work publicly and privately to support so many charities and individuals we wanted to give this, the recognition it deserves”
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