Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel and his wife, Miranda Kerr, have taken significant steps to alleviate financial burdens for many Californians by erasing $550 million in medical debt. This initiative, announced in June 2026, was facilitated through a substantial donation to Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to purchasing and cancelling qualifying medical debts.

Undue Medical Debt operates by acquiring medical debts from hospitals and collection agencies at a fraction of their original value. This allows the nonprofit to cancel debts for individuals who meet specific criteria, such as having a household income at or below 400 per cent of the federal poverty level. The initiative has reportedly benefited over 261,000 residents across California, providing them with much-needed financial relief.

The $550 million figure represents the total face value of the cancelled debts, although the exact amount donated by Spiegel and Kerr has not been disclosed. This initiative has reached various communities, with San Diego County receiving around Rs 99 crore in debt relief for over 40,000 people, while Los Angeles County saw Rs 26.7 crore cancelled for nearly 17,500 residents.

Support for Wildfire Recovery Efforts

In addition to their work on medical debt, Spiegel and Kerr have actively supported recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County in January 2025. The fires resulted in the destruction of over 16,000 structures and claimed numerous lives, including Spiegel’s childhood home in Pacific Palisades.

Following the disaster, Spiegel, along with Snap and Snapchat co-founder Bobby Murphy, contributed Rs 40 crore in immediate aid to assist those affected. This support is part of a broader philanthropic response aimed at helping residents navigate the challenges of rebuilding their homes and securing assistance.

Spiegel has expressed the emotional toll of losing his childhood home, recalling how his sister informed the family after seeing it on television. The couple’s philanthropic efforts include the establishment of the Department of Angels, a nonprofit aimed at connecting wildfire survivors with resources and advocating for their needs at various government levels.

Research Into Long-Term Health Effects

Beyond immediate financial assistance, the Spiegel Family Fund has also financed research into the long-term health impacts of the wildfires. The Los Angeles Fire Human Exposure and Long-Term Health Study, launched in January 2025, involves multiple prestigious institutions and aims to investigate pollutants released during the fires and their potential health consequences.

This ten-year study seeks to provide vital information to residents about the risks associated with returning to affected areas, particularly given the complex mixture of pollutants that urban fires can release. The findings will help communities prepare for future disasters and inform environmental monitoring efforts.

Spiegel and Kerr have made it a priority to involve their children in charitable activities, fostering a sense of responsibility and community service within their family. Their philanthropic interests extend beyond medical debt and disaster recovery, as they have previously supported educational initiatives, including paying off student loans for graduates at Otis College of Art and Design.

On October 13, 2026, Spiegel was honoured at the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards in Washington, DC, recognising his philanthropic contributions. He acknowledged the ongoing needs of communities affected by the wildfires and reiterated the importance of collective support in addressing such challenges.

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