In the evening, a black stretched Cadillac car slowly stopped in the 20th Century Fox Studios Park. Gecko feeling with a broken tail. The driver got out of the car and opened the door. Elizabeth, who was standing outside the office building and explaining something to the assistant beside her, realized that it was Eric's car. She walked over quickly and got into the car.
The driver outside closed the door, and Elizabeth said: "Why do you suddenly drive such a car, it looks so ugly?"
Eric put a document in his hand on his knees, and said: "The girl bought it, and said it was a birthday present for me. To attend the premiere, I have to take a courtesy car, and I can only drive this one."
The car started slowly, Elizabeth was stunned for a moment, and asked, "Is your birthday this month?"
Eric shook his head: "No."
Elizabeth said: "Then what birthday present did she give?"
Eric shrugged: "How do I know, according to the frequency of girls giving me birthday presents, I should be 280 years old now."
Elizabeth burst out laughing, and said contemptuously, "It's all your pet. You are crazy all day long, and your aesthetics are so bad. You have to buy such an ugly car."
Eric smiled and said, "Don't look ugly, it's very expensive. It is said that it is the next-generation presidential car designed by Cadillac for the White House, and Clinton hasn't even got in it yet."
"It's so ugly anyway," Elizabeth still had a smile on her face, noticed the information in Eric's hand, glanced curiously, and said, "What is this, um, the Ford Foundation?"
Eric handed over the materials in his hand and said, "I've been looking at some family foundation materials recently."
Elizabeth took the information from Eric and flipped through a few pages, with a teasing smile on her lips, said: "So, you have to start planning for the future?"
"Yeah," Eric leaned on the back of the chair, crossed his legs, and said, "Recently, I suddenly discovered that some things still have to be done. I used to resist the so-called foundation, but now I feel that this is really a foundation. The best way to pass it on in the family."
After reading a series of materials in recent days, Eric found that these family foundations in the West are contrary to his original imagination in terms of asset size and operation mode.
Just like the Ford Foundation, when it was first established, the registered capital of the Ford Foundation was only 25,000 U.S. dollars. Even after Henry Ford passed away, all the inheritance was injected into the foundation, and the asset size did not exceed 2 billion U.S. dollars. But now, the Ford Foundation’s Asset size has reached 9 billion US dollars.
If the inflation factor is not calculated, the assets of the Ford family have actually been rising. Moreover, the family inheritance model of the foundation can also avoid the inheritance tax problem that future generations will continue to face to the greatest extent.
What is even more surprising is that, even after a hundred years have passed, with the Ford Foundation holding only 2% of the Ford Group, the Ford family still controls the world's leading large automobile group under the rules of the dual-class equity structure.
Apart from the Ford family, whether it is the Carnegie Foundation or the Rockefeller Foundation, based on numbers alone, the assets they control now also exceed the original legacy left by their ancestors. Although these billions of assets cannot make them Squeezing into the Forbes rich list is enough for them to maintain the glory and social status of their ancestors.
As for the control that Eric was most concerned about at the beginning, this is not a problem.
All the family foundations that Eric has seen are almost completely controlled by the founding family. Although they appear to be non-profit public welfare foundations, they need to donate a certain amount of assets every year. But the way these donations work is even more interesting.
Assuming that a foundation must donate 100 million U.S. dollars a year, it may seem that the foundation is bleeding unconditionally, but in fact, the family that controls the foundation has the final say on how to spend the money.
Whether it is the Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, or the Rockefeller Foundation, the so-called purpose of establishment is to promote the development of the entire social education, technology, medical and other industries. The foundation has a very broad operating space
For example, if a family business wants to obtain more favorable policy conditions from the government, it can provide a sum of money from the family foundation to sponsor members of parliament with voting rights to conduct some research projects that are beneficial to the technology industry. A trip to Hawaii, the Bahamas, or something. Moreover, no one can accuse the foundation of violating the regulations, because they are non-profit, and this practice is in full compliance with federal law. Another example is that the children of the family are not very competitive and cannot be admitted to Harvard and Yale with their own abilities. This is even simpler. A sum of money from the foundation is donated to these schools to promote the "development of the social education industry." By the way, it's time for your child to go to college, do you want it or not
Moreover, these are actually relatively high-sounding operating methods, and as for the various operations in private, there are even more tricks.
All in all, the so-called public welfare foundation should belong to who or who, but if you hand over the money to the IRS, it has nothing to do with you at all.
The most important thing is that adopting the foundation model for family wealth inheritance can maintain the cohesion of the entire family to the greatest extent. In order to enjoy the support of the family foundation for a longer period of time, as long as the descendants of the family are a little bit more competitive, they will involuntarily contribute to the promotion of the fund. This is also the most fundamental reason why families such as Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Ford can pass on for a hundred years. However, if the traditional property inheritance model is adopted, even if the second generation can still be united, but the third and fourth generations, because of different abilities, uneven distribution, or other reasons, one day, the whole family will be together. Totally falling apart.
In the car, Elizabeth heard Eric's words, but her face showed a narrow expression and a touch of resentment: "So, Mr. Williams, when you think about these things, have you ever thought about where your family is?"
Eric coughed lightly in embarrassment, and changed the subject: "Well, what is your family going to do?"
Elizabeth curled her lips, but still said: "My father plans to use the trust fund."
Eric thought for a while and said, "Well, you should still have to pay taxes by then, right?"
Elizabeth nodded: "Yes, but the tax rate should be controlled at about 15%. At that time, News Corp. will make a little effort within the family, and the family will probably be able to pay the tax without selling stocks. Our family is not as big as yours. Speaking of which, Your personal assets are so huge, the IRS will definitely stare at you, and it is definitely not an easy task for you to pass on your assets smoothly without paying taxes like other families.”
Eric said relaxedly: "The IRS is still controlled by people. As long as it's not a machine, it's easy to handle."
Chatting like this, the car quickly arrived at Santa Monica Avenue in Hollywood.
Today is the premiere of "The Horse Whisperer" produced by Miramax. The film's release date is November 6, which is the day after tomorrow.
As Miramax's largest investment film so far, the Weinstein brothers also attach great importance to this project. It is also a helpless move.
"Starting next week, there will be an average of two new films per week, with super blockbusters such as "Mission: Impossible 3" and "Star Wars Episode 1" in between. Harvey can only choose this schedule. Although there are risks, but This can be regarded as the safest distribution model.” Elizabeth explained: “Speaking of this, there are two films from Columbia. The dates chosen are really interesting. Dick Bear" and "Star Trek: Uprising" squeezed together, Julia's "Kiss Mom" followed "Star Wars Episode 1", I can imagine a tank running over a bicycle scene."
Eric said helplessly: "There is no way. When I got Columbia, the schedule has already been set. Moreover, the cost of these two films is even more annoying. "Deadly High School" cost 30 million. "Kiss Little Mom" cost 50 million. In my opinion, the cost of these two films can be halved. Now I want to grab Julia and ask her to refund me half of the film salary. The family comedy with two heroines actually asked for 20 million, it's a money grab."
"She will probably come back from Paris the day after tomorrow. When she comes back from Paris, you can hold her down and beat her up,"
"That's too cheap for her," Eric pinched his knuckles and said, "At least two beatings."
"Hehe," Elizabeth laughed, remembering something, and asked again: "When do you plan to go to London?"
The fifth Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will be held soon. In order to promote the Victoria's Secret brand in Europe, this show will be held in London. Because it is a relatively important session, Eric will also attend.
"On the 10th." Eric said: "The big show will be held on the 12th. I can just go there two days in advance and come back early. After all, there are still so many things going on here."
"Hmph," Elizabeth snorted suddenly, and said, "It's no wonder you want to come back soon, Jealous-Daddy, so many beautiful daughters."
Eric smiled and stretched out his hand to lift Elizabeth's chin and leaned over to kiss her, saying, "Why don't you come with me, and I'll let them call you Jealous-Mommy."
Elizabeth opened Eric's strange hand: "Ah bah!"
Before the car arrived at a theater on Santa Monica Avenue, the premiere of "The Horse Whisperer" was held at a flagship theater under REGR, the largest theater chain in North America.
At this time, both sides of the red carpet in front of the theater were crowded with reporters and movie fans. Maybe some heavyweight guests were walking on the red carpet. Before they got off the car, they could hear bursts of cheers.
Under the guidance of the staff, the Cadillac car stopped for a moment before driving towards the end of the red carpet. Eric got out of the car first, turned to the other side and took Elizabeth by the arm, and the two walked towards the red carpet together.
Compared with those stars with beautiful clothes and beautiful decorations, both of them are dressed casually. Eric wears a daily black suit, and Elizabeth is just a water blue tunic dress. However, the two of them set foot on red The blanket caused a sensation more than any other guest present.
Because during this period of time, the topic about Eric has been one after another, not only the fans who are constantly cheering, but also the reporters on both sides of the red carpet are excited. While frantically pressing the shutter, they are also asking questions to the two people loudly. If it is not for the red carpet The security on both sides was maintained as best as possible, and the reporters even broke through the protective fence and rushed to the two of them.
Eric and Elizabeth walked slowly across the red carpet and entered the theater completely undisturbed.
In recent years, Eric has been consciously appearing in public with different women of his own, and this has continued. Although he has never explained anything to the public, many people have gradually accepted the fact that he has several girlfriends.
This is actually what Eric wants to achieve.
The contacts accumulated by the Weinstein brothers over the years are still very strong. When they came to the theater hall, the surroundings were already crowded with guests from all over the world. Everyone was chatting in groups of three or four when they saw Eric and Elizabeth appear. , surrounded them one after another.
Everyone exchanged pleasantries for a while, Elizabeth was pulled aside by Harvey Weinstein to discuss something, Eric chatted with "The Horse Whisperer" director Robert Redford for a while, and was about to go to Elizabeth's side, a man wearing a white dress The blond girl came over: "Mr. Williams, I'm so glad to see you again, do you remember me?"
"Of course," Eric nodded with a smile, "You are Kerr's little friend, Scarlett Johansson, right? You are so beautiful today."
"Thank you," Scarlett said shyly, "Mr. Williams, I also want to thank you for helping me get this role."
Eric shook his head: "That's not necessary. In fact, I didn't help much. It's because your own achievements have been recognized by Harvey."
Scarlett managed to find a chance to talk to Eric. She didn't want to be so unnutritively polite, but just as she was about to continue, Elizabeth and Harvey turned towards Eric. After walking over, Scarlett had no choice but to give up the topic she had just thought of, greeted Harvey politely, and walked away a little disappointed.
"Little guy with great potential," Harvey praised Scarlett as he walked away, and then said, "Eric, let's go in, we're about to start."
Eric nodded, feeling that Elizabeth held his arm naturally, but there was a pain in his arm, and he said helplessly, "I didn't do anything, it was just for the little girl."
Elizabeth gave Eric a disdainful look: "You obviously like little girls."
"You are slandering."
"What did Drew say?"
"Okay, I surrender."