Death & what remains

What would you like to leave your children?

54 answers answered between 2006 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Verbatim recurring item in The Guardian Q&A; two publisher-hosted respondent pages establish institutional recurrence.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Add your answer

On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Read by field Everyone Science and medicine 3 Arts and letters 36 Politics and public life 4 Business and finance 4 Technology 3 Sport 3
Read by age Any age In their thirties 6 In their forties 7 In their fifties 9 In their sixties 15 Seventy and beyond 5
Order Earliest first Most recent Surprise me
Warren Buffett Chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, 1970–2025
This pledge will leave my lifestyle untouched and that of my children as well. They have already received significant sums for their personal use and will receive more in the future. They live comfortable and productive lives.
Recorded His own pledge letter, written on joining the Giving Pledge in 2010, The Giving Pledge, 2010 source ↗
Chris Bonington
Compassion, resourcefulness and resilience form a rounded good person. So that’s what I’d like to leave my children and grandchildren.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗
Pauline Black
I don’t have children. I will leave my nieces money because girls need money of their own. Anything to make women independent.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 April 2025 source ↗
Lee Child
More than I can, sadly. I led the softest of lives in the softest of times, and my daughter will face sterner challenges.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 June 2025 source ↗

1 answer from members

@aliabbasi builder
I want to leave my children three foundational tools to navigate the world: Life skills: The practical capability and independence to take care of themselves, solve everyday problems, and handle adult responsibilities with ease. Confidence: A self-belief rooted in resilience, knowing they have worth, deserve to take up space, and can handle failure without letting it define them. A sense of humor: The ability to find levity in life's absurdity, laugh at themselves, and keep perspective when things don't go according to plan. If they leave home with these three things, they'll have everything they need to build a meaningful life.

More on death & what remains