The poker pro has donated much of her historic winnings to stop factory farming
Liv Boeree, a poker pro and science communicator, recently revealed that she is donating $560,000 of her winnings from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise event to support efforts against factory farming. The donation follows Boeree’s historic performance in December, where she finished fourth in the $25,000 buy-in Super Main Event, earning $2.8 million—the largest tournament win ever achieved by a woman.
Just wrote a blog about my poker win, and why I’m giving $560,000 away to pigs… pic.twitter.com/xnIVgaYz1q
— Liv Boeree (@Liv_Boeree) January 3, 2025
Boeree took to social media to announce her decision, humorously stating she was “giving $560,000 away to pigs.” Her motivation stemmed from a pledge she made during the tournament’s early stages after learning about the harsh realities of factory farming.
A story about a farm fire in North Carolina, where 1,000 pigs perished, left a deep impression on her. Inspired to take action, Boeree committed to donating 20% of her winnings to improve the welfare of factory-farmed animals.
Boeree’s charitable act reflects her long-standing commitment to philanthropy. In 2017, she and her partner Igor Kurganov donated half of their winnings from a WSOP event to Raising for Effective Giving (REG), a charity they co-founded. The organization promotes “effective altruism,” directing funds toward initiatives like poverty alleviation, animal welfare, and long-term global challenges.
After retiring from poker in 2019, citing burnout, Boeree made a rare return to the felt at the suggestion of a friend. Her triumphant performance in WSOP Paradise not only reignited her passion for the game but also reaffirmed her dedication to meaningful causes. While she has no plans to resume her professional career full-time, Boeree hinted that she might participate in a few more tournaments this year.
Boeree’s act of generosity underscores her belief in using her platform and success to drive positive change, proving that her impact extends far beyond the poker table.
Editor at the Big Blind, is a rising star in gambling journalism with a decade of experience, focusing on clear and accessible communication for a diverse audience.
