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Photo of Sydney Lake

Photo of Sydney Lake

Sydney Lake

Sydney Lake is an associate editor at Fortune, where she writes and edits news for the publication's global news desk covering generational dynamics, billionaire philanthropy, housing, real estate, luxury, and wealth. Before joining Fortune, Sydney served as the assistant editor of Virginia Business magazine and worked on the production desk at CQ Roll Call. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and leadership studies from the University of Richmond and her master's degree in digital media management from the University of Southern California.

Photo of Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban bought a $25 million mansion sight unseen—and got it for 50% off. His secret? ‘The best guaranteed return on investment’

By Sydney LakeSeptember 1, 2026

She founded Cosee Home at 24 and now designs $12 million homes. An app she built took her firm from a ‘carriage’ to ‘a high-end sports car’

She founded Cosee Home at 24 and now designs $12 million homes. An app she built took her firm from a ‘carriage’ to ‘a high-end sports car’

By Sydney LakeSeptember 1, 2026

Dolly Parton once turned down a song request from Elvis Presley. That was just one business decision that helped build her $650 million empire

Arts & Entertainment

Dolly Parton once turned down a song request from Elvis Presley. That was just one business decision that helped build her $650 million empire

By Sydney LakeAugust 29, 2026

Scammers are hijacking tap-to-pay donations to turn a $20 gift into a $2,000 charge—here’s how to protect your money

Personal Finance

Scammers are hijacking tap-to-pay donations to turn a $20 gift into a $2,000 charge—here’s how to protect your money

By Sydney LakeAugust 28, 2026

Political powerbroker George Norcross is giving $100 million to the hospital where he was born—which will now carry his name

Political powerbroker George Norcross is giving $100 million to the hospital where he was born—which will now carry his name

By Sydney LakeAugust 27, 2026

North Carolina teachers spend an average of $1,632 of their own money on school supplies—a foundation just gave $2M so they won’t have to

North Carolina teachers spend an average of $1,632 of their own money on school supplies—a foundation just gave $2M so they won’t have to

By Sydney LakeAugust 26, 2026

Photo of Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton’s philanthropy inspiration was her father who couldn’t read or write: ‘I saw how crippling that could be’

By Sydney LakeAugust 25, 2026

Photo of Jamie and Judith Dimon

Jamie Dimon and his wife, Judith, donate $12 million to 12 HBCUs—betting they’re the ‘springboard to success’ for the next generation

By Sydney LakeAugust 25, 2026

MacKenzie Scott

A $1,000 loan kept MacKenzie Scott in college—now the billionaire philanthropist is giving away her $37 billion fortune to pay it forward

By Sydney LakeAugust 24, 2026

Even billionaires are worried their Gen Z kids can’t keep a job—and their wealth advisors say the fear is ‘very real’

Even billionaires are worried their Gen Z kids can’t keep a job—and their wealth advisors say the fear is ‘very real’

By Sydney LakeAugust 22, 2026

MacKenzie Scott gave California public education $461 million—and let the recipients decide how to spend every dollar

MacKenzie Scott gave California public education $461 million—and let the recipients decide how to spend every dollar

By Sydney LakeAugust 21, 2026

Teachers in one of San Francisco’s richest suburbs are so underpaid that a philanthropist just gave each of them $9,161

Teachers in one of San Francisco’s richest suburbs are so underpaid that a philanthropist just gave each of them $9,161

By Sydney LakeAugust 20, 2026

USC just shattered its fundraising record by nearly $100 million—thanks partly to the billionaire family behind the Houston Texans

USC just shattered its fundraising record by nearly $100 million—thanks partly to the billionaire family behind the Houston Texans

By Sydney LakeAugust 19, 2026

Photo of Roy and Nola Thompson

Married 69 years, this philanthropic couple died 8 days apart—after giving away more than $20 million from a hotel-and-property fortune

By Sydney LakeAugust 18, 2026

The $124 trillion Great Wealth Transfer is fully underway—but nonprofits are ‘paralyzed’ by how to chase millennials’ newfound wealth

The $124 trillion Great Wealth Transfer is fully underway—but nonprofits are ‘paralyzed’ by how to chase millennials’ newfound wealth

By Sydney LakeAugust 16, 2026

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The heiress of $10 billion Perdue Farms and the $12 billion Sheraton Hotels empire wore hand-me-downs, still rides the subway, and flies economy

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By Emma BurleighAugust 30, 2026

Personal Finance

Current price of oil as of September 1, 2026

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By Joseph HostetlerSeptember 1, 2026

31-year-old millionaire has zero sympathy for unemployed Gen Z's ‘excuses’—he says 'it is scarily easy' to build a business and get rich right now

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By Orianna Rosa RoyleAugust 31, 2026