The life and activism of Abigail Disney, the millionaire heiress who wants to be taxed more and is critical of her family company

Sarah JacksonJan 21, 2024, 17:32 IST

Abigail Disney frequently calls for higher taxes for herself and other wealthy individuals.Tasos Katopodis

Abigail Disney is one of a handful of ultrawealthy people calling on governments to tax them more.
She's been arrested for protesting over private jets and has been critical of her family's business.

Abigail Disney is making headlines again, this time for her involvement in a new campaign by some of the world's ultrawealthy to convince government leaders to tax them more.

Disney is one of over 250 millionaires and billionaires who signed an open letter proclaiming they're "proud to pay more" in taxes to "address the dramatic rise of economic inequality."

Disney, who is the grandniece of Walt Disney, is one of the most vocal supporters of higher taxes for the wealthy among the wealthy themselves. She's also a film producer and has been a frequent critic of the House of Mouse over the years. Disney was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Business Insider.

Here's a closer look at the life, career, and activism of Abigail Disney:

Abigail Disney is the grandniece of Walt Disney.

Walt Disney (pictured) and older brother Roy O. Disney, who is Abigail Disney's grandfather, cofounded The Walt Disney Company together.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Growing up, she said her family was upper-middle-class for a time before Disney's stock price — and thus their wealth — skyrocketed. At that point, she "didn't even recognize" her family anymore.

Abigail Disney says her family was drastically changed by wealth.Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Growing up, she said her family was upper-middle-class for a time before Disney's stock price — and thus their wealth — skyrocketed. At that point, she "didn't even recognize" her family anymore.

She has spoken at length about the ways her family name and wealth have given her a very comfortable life.

Abigail Disney says she was born into a life of "enormous privilege."Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images for Burda Media

Disney has degrees from Yale, Stanford, and Columbia universities.

She studied English literature and philosophy.Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Disney hasn't shied away from criticizing her family's business.

Walt Disney with Mickey Mouse statue.Melissa Wells/Insider

Disney's exact net worth is unknown but she said in 2019 she was "roughly around $120 million."

Abigail Disney speaks onstage during the 32nd Anniversary Celebrating Women Breakfast at Marriott Marquis on May 14, 2019 in New York City.Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The New York Women's Foundation

She says she has given away tens of millions of dollars over the past three decades.

Abigail Disney estimated in 2019 that she'd given away around $70 million in her lifetime.Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The New York Women's Foundation

Disney has also railed against private jet use and expressed regret for taking them before.

Disney was arrested last year for her involvement in blocking an airport in the Hamptons protesting against private jets.JethuynhCan/Getty Images

Disney often speaks about the dangers of wealth inequality and is one of the most recognizable faces of the efforts from the world's ultrarich to raise their taxes.

Abigail Disney frequently calls for higher taxes for herself and other wealthy individuals.Tasos Katopodis

Besides activism and philanthropy, Disney is also a film producer.

Abigail Disney cofounded production company Fork Films in 2007.Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for International Documentary Association

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The life and activism of Abigail Disney, the millionaire heiress who wants to be taxed more and is critical of her family company

Abigail Disney is the grandniece of Walt Disney.

Growing up, she said her family was upper-middle-class for a time before Disney's stock price — and thus their wealth — skyrocketed. At that point, she "didn't even recognize" her family anymore.

She has spoken at length about the ways her family name and wealth have given her a very comfortable life.

Disney has degrees from Yale, Stanford, and Columbia universities.

Disney hasn't shied away from criticizing her family's business.

Disney's exact net worth is unknown but she said in 2019 she was "roughly around $120 million."

She says she has given away tens of millions of dollars over the past three decades.

Disney has also railed against private jet use and expressed regret for taking them before.

Disney often speaks about the dangers of wealth inequality and is one of the most recognizable faces of the efforts from the world's ultrarich to raise their taxes.

Besides activism and philanthropy, Disney is also a film producer.