In a historic act of philanthropy, 93-year-old Ruth Gottesman has donated $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, ensuring free tuition for all students indefinitely.

A former professor and long-serving trustee at the college, Gottesman made the transformative gift using Berkshire Hathaway stock inherited from her late husband, financier David “Sandy” Gottesman, a longtime associate of Warren Buffett.

$1B donation makes New York medical school tuition free and transforms students’ lives

First year student Samuel Woo had been considering a career in cardiology so he would be able to pay off his medical school debt until the announcement this week of a generous donation that will remove tuition fees at his New York City school.

Now, without the fear of crippling student debt, the 23-year-old whose parents emigrated from South Korea said Tuesday that he can afford to pursue his dream of providing medical services to people living on the streets.

“I was definitely very emotional and it changes a lot,” said Woo, who had been working as a tutor and at a cafe to help cover his costs.

Ruth Gottesman, a former professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the widow of a Wall Street investor, announced Monday that she is donating $1 billion to the school in the Bronx. The gift means that four-year students immediately go tuition free, while everyone else will benefit in the fall.