Keanu Reeves prefers to keep his personal life private, so even his significant humanitarian efforts often go unreported.

The Hollywood icon, who turns 60 today (September 2), gained a fortune from his performance in The Matrix and is estimated to have a net worth of $380 million. He has donated his riches to charity that support cancer patients and sick children, rather than keeping it all for himself.

Fans believe Keanu’s compassionate approach stems from his personal experiences with tragedy. Keanu has been through a lot of tragedy, from losing his partner in a car accident barely 18 months after their kid was stillborn to caring for his sister while she battled illness.

But the actor has always managed to see the sunny side of life, falling in love with his best friend and continuing to perform in front of audiences. Here’s a look back at his life.

Keanu Reeves has suffered several tragedies in his lifetime ( Image: Getty Images)

His daughter was sadly stillborn ( Image: Getty Images)

In 1998, Keanu Reeves met director David Lynch’s secretary Jennifer Syme at a party for his band Dog Star, and they instantly fell in love and began dating. The couple was expecting their first child together.\

Despite the celebrations, their dreams were unfortunately dashed. Keanu and Jennifer were looking forward to the arrival of their newborn daughter Ava, but she was sadly stillborn at eight months on Christmas Eve 1999, only a month before Jennifer was due.

Jennifer, who was heartbroken, is claimed to have suffered from post-natal depression before tragedy separated her and Keanu. Despite their breakup, the couple managed to remain friends.

What happened to Jennifer Syme?

Jennifer Syme died in a car crash ( Image: facebook./@HollywoodPageOfDeath)

Keanu had brunch with Jennifer just a day before her death ( Image: Getty Images)

Jennifer died in a car accident two years after losing their baby while attending a party with goth musician Marilyn Manson. The sad tragedy occurred after she drove her Jeep inebriated and collided with a row of parked cars.

Jennifer was flung from her seat and killed immediately. Jennifer apparently crashed her car just one day after having breakfast with her ex-boyfriend.

According to insiders, Keanu grieved profoundly with the loss, finding it “very, very difficult to cope with her death.” Since then, he has turned his anguish into work.

Who is Keanu Reeves dating?

The Matrix star has found love with Alexandra Grant ( Image: Getty Images for Audi)

Keanu kept his romance with Alexandra Grant a secret until they made their appearance in 2019.Before falling in love, the couple had been friends for a few years and collaborated on several projects.

Alexandra and Keanu met at a dinner gathering back in 2009. While a love relationship did not flourish immediately, a business partnership did arise.

Alexandra drew Keanu’s 2011 book Ode to Happiness and Shadows, which came out in 2016. The duo also co-owns X Artists Books, which they established in 2017.

Does Keanu Reeves have siblings?

Keanu’s sister Kim (left) was diagnosed with leukaemia ( Image: Corbis via Getty Images)

He donated a lot of money after his sister’s illness ( Image: Getty Images)

Keanu has three sisters – Kim, Katrina and Emma. The actor’s younger sister Kim battled leukaemia for a decade, with Keanu becoming her carer during the illness. Opening up about her struggle in 1999, Kim told the Australian magazine women’s Day: “When the pain got really bad, he [Keanu] would sit with me and hold my hand, and keep the ‘bad man’ from making me dance.

“He was supporting me and comforting me all the time, even when he was away.” Keanu never forgot about his sister’s cancer and confirmed in 2009 that he had set up a private foundation that supports families going through the same thing.

How much has Keanu Reeves donated to charity?

Keanu has made a number of generous donations ( Image: Getty Images for Netflix)

While Keanu established the private foundation, he chose not to put his name on it, allowing the fund to assist families discreetly. He told Ladies Home Journal: “I have a private foundation that’s been running for five or six years, and it helps aid a couple of children’s hospitals and cancer research.”

Keanu goaded: “I don’t like to attach my name to it, I just let the foundation do what it does.” Keanu also stated that he does not need material possessions to be happy.

He replied: “It’s always nice to open your eyes every morning and see the world – it all seems so simple!” The performer commented: “That enormous sense of gratitude is enough for me – I don’t need to surround myself with a lot of objects and possessions to feel that way.”

According to Mix Mag, he has donated almost $31.5 million throughout his career.