The Nobel Prize started in 1901 and this year is already its 115th year. Although the bonuses are different every year, the total of all the bonuses in 115 years is already a huge number. So How much money is there in the Nobel Prize? Why has it not been completed after 115 years?

Initial assets: 31 million Swiss francs

The Nobel Prize is named after the famous Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel. Nobel loved chemistry, physics and mechanical engineering since he was a child. With his continuous exploration of science, Nobel invented liquid explosives - "Nobel Explosive Oil", solid explosives - yellow explosives, and powerful colloidal explosives. , and smokeless bombs. It was precisely with these inventions that Nobel built explosives factories in many countries and applied for patents. He soon became the "explosive king" with great wealth.

One year before his death, Nobel made a will: all his property will be used to establish a reward fund, and its interest will be divided into five equal parts, in the form of bonuses every year. Assigned to those who have made significant discoveries or contributions in the five fields of chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace (later economics was added).

The next year, Nobel died, and his estate was initially worth 31 million Swiss francs. In other words, the initial capital of the Nobel Prize was 31 million Swiss francs.

The total assets of investment and financial management continue to rise

Although Nobel’s legacy was initially only 31 million Swiss francs, in the 115 years since 1901, the total amount of prize money awarded by the Nobel Prize has long been It far exceeds Nobel's legacy, so why is there still money to pay out bonuses? The answer is: investment and financial management! It is reported that the Nobel Fund initially only invested in safe securities such as treasury bonds and loans. However, due to the expenses of annual bonus distribution and fund operation, by 1953, the foundation's assets were only more than 3 million US dollars. In order to continue operating, the Nobel Foundation began financial management focusing on investing in stocks and real estate. Since the 1980s, due to the rapid growth of global stock markets and the continuous appreciation of real estate, the assets of the Nobel Foundation have continued to increase in value. By 2011, the total assets of the Nobel Foundation reached 2.86 billion Swiss francs, 92 times those at the beginning of its establishment. !

The actual value of the Nobel Fund over the years

The continuous appreciation of total assets also means that the annual bonus does not increase. Starting from 1991 when the bonus soared to 6 million Swiss francs, it continued to rise for the next 10 years. In 2001, it rose to 10 million Swiss francs and remained there until 2011.

The actual amount of individual Nobel prizes

In 2011, due to the sluggish global stock market, the Nobel Foundation lost more than 19 million Swiss francs in its stock investment. Therefore, the amount of each Nobel prize has been reduced from 10 million Swiss francs to 8 million Swiss francs.

What did the winners do with their prize money?

A single prize of 8 million Swiss francs is equivalent to more than 6 million yuan in RMB. How do the winners spend such a large amount of money?

1. Donate or invest in research. It is reported that some Nobel Prize winners will donate their winnings to charities, establish scholarships and grants, or use them to continue investing in research.

Marie Curie, winner of the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics and the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, chose to invest her bonus in research.

2. Subsidizing household expenses

Using bonuses to subsidize household expenses is also a way to use bonuses.

Richard Roberts, the winner of the 1993 Medicine Prize, used part of the prize money to install a croquet device on the lawn in front of his home;

And the 1921 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Love Einstein left all his winnings to his first wife and two sons.

3. Buy a house or a car

Of course, many people use their bonuses to buy a house or a car.

Peter Higgs, winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics, used his Nobel Prize money to buy a customized lilac SUV;

The 1993 winner of the Medicine Prize Sharp spent money to buy a century-old house;

Mo Yan, the winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize for Literature, used the prize money of almost 7 million yuan to buy a house outside the North Fifth Ring Road in Beijing. suite.