BARRY MANILOW - MANILOW THE PHILANTHROPIST

Crooner BARRY MANILOW is very generous with his vast fortune - after hoarding his earnings for years. The singer, 64, confesses he was mean with his money early on his career, but is trying to make up for his miserly ways now - by dedicating his time and savings to a number of good causes. Manilow has loaned his name to charities benefiting the victims of AIDS and Hurricane Katrina, and has performed at benefit shows for a number of charitable causes. He even has his own foundation, The Manilow Fund for Health and Hope, which hands out millions to those in need. Speaking ahead of a performance at an amFAR Aids gala in New York on Thursday (31Jan08), Manilow explained his philosophy: "When I was younger, I tried to hoard my money, but as you get older, you realise you don't need it, and it's better off helping other people. "I now give away as much as I possibly can."