Hollywood stars would like you to believe they're not as superficial as the glamorous lifestyles they lead. Sure they might make millions, but they love to use that cash to feed starving children and help the homeless.

But you can't change the world if you don't look good first, right? So while the starlets might pledge thousands to their favorite charities, they're spending just as much on the latest designer handbags. Drab outfits might have been OK for Mother Theresa, but today's celebrity saints have a reputation to uphold.

It makes you wonder whether the stars believe in the causes they support, or whether it's all just a cheap grab for publicity. Are they celebrity charlatans using poverty to gloss their image, give them publicity, which subsequently generates them more fame and money to feed a designer shopping addiction?

How can these socially aware stars spend thousands on some arm candy while people in third-world countries are still dying of hunger? Some of these bags are so expensive, they'd easily feed an entire African village.

If you've pledged to help fight poverty how can you justify spending thousands on a designer handbag when that that money could make a huge impact on poverty to hundreds (if not thousands) of people.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on these famous celebrities but when you look at how much they've spent and how that money could have been used to fight poverty it makes you question their motives. Just take a look at these examples of "poverty fighting" celebs and their excessive handbag spending:

Angelina Jolie and Zahara Show Off Matching Valentino Purses

Image source: The Purse Blog

Angelina Jolie is the poster child for celebrity do-gooders. She's a United Nations ambassador, and her Jolie-Pitt Foundation helps humanitarian causes all around the world. She also likes to adopt orphans from poverty-stricken nations, like adorable Zahara.



Back in Africa, Zahara could never afford this kiddy-sized Valentino Histoire handbag. Of course Mommy Jolie has the grown up version, which set her back $1695. I can't imagine how much this custom made mother-daughter pair is worth, but I'm sure the charities would love a piece of it!

Madonna's $471,000 Chanel Purse Helps Charity

Image source: The Purse Forum

Madonna was so moved by a visit to the African country of Malawi, that she brought back a child. She also joined the Raising Malawi Advisory Committee, and she works tirelessly to provide food, clean water, medical care, and schooling to the struggling nation's orphans.

She also likes to spoil herself. At one point she owned a black Chanel alligator bag encrusted with 334 diamonds. The Material Girl recently sold the bag at a charity auction, raising $471,000, so does that make her splurging OK? I just can’t help wondering what other exorbitant accessories she still has in her closet.

Beyonce Bags Limited Edition Louis Vuitton Monstrosity

Image source: The Purse Blog

Beyonce Knowles is so committed to fighting poverty that she supports Oxfam and The Lunchbox Fund. Yet somehow she still managed to find a spare $42,000 to pick up one of the 24 limited edition Louis Vuitton Tribute patchwork bags. Surely you could feed an entire African nation for that price!

The saddest part of it all is just how hideous the handbag is. I can almost understand dropping thousands on something really beautiful, but this LV purse is so incredibly tacky!

Kate Moss Wants to Make Poverty History, Sort Of

Image Source: The Purse Blog

Kate Moss was one of the star snappers in the massive Make Poverty History campaign. But you have to wonder whether it was just one big publicity stunt, because the British model seems as self obsessed as ever. How else can you explain spending $13,895 on a Mulberry Bayswater alligator bag? At least she looks hot while she's saving the world, right?

Victoria Beckham's $114,000 Birkin Obsession

Image source: Trend 911

Victoria Beckham has given special performances and donated prized possessions to raise funds for her favorite charity, Children in Need. But just think how many needy children could benefit if she’d part with her beloved Birkins!

This particular pink ostrich purse costs more than $20,000. Her entire collection is reportedly worth $114,000. That's a whole lot of Hermes! Add to that the Giambattista Valli, Oscar de la Renta, and Marc Jacobs Posh loves so much and the dollars really start to add up!

Mischa Barton Saves the Children With the Change From Her Shopping Sprees

Image source: Just Jared

Socially conscious Mischa Barton feels so passionately about ending poverty, she's an ambassador for Save the Children and One Water. But just think how much clean water she could have sent to Africa instead of dropping $5790 on this Gucci Indy bag. It may be cute, but there's no way a purse is worth that much. I'm sure those thirsty Africans agree!

Lindsay Lohan Joins the Birkin Brigade

Image source: Bag Bliss

She may have hung with Paris and Britney, but Lindsay Lohan isn't just another vapid Hollywood starlet. She’s also got a social conscience. She's worked tirelessly to promote Bono's ONE campaign, and she's even gone hands-on with a trip to Kenya.

But do you think Li-Lo considered the Kenyans before she spent $12,750 on this Blue Jean Birkin? My car doesn't even cost as much as this Hermes handbag!

Pamela Anderson's Another Hermes Lover

Image source: The Purse Page

I'll bet you thought Pamela Anderson was just another busty blonde bimbo, right? But apparently that's not the whole story. She's also a social activist who devotes a lot of time and money to Feed the Children.

But when you're attending those charity galas you need a beautiful handbag to look your best. This Hermes Haut a Courrois does the trick at a cost of $9000. Those starving kids could experience fine dining rather than the white goop with that sort of money!

Heidi Klum's Extravagant YSL Handbag

Image source: The Purse Page

Heidi Klum was very vocal about the Raise Your Voice Against Poverty campaign, proudly wearing her white armband on the cover of Vanity Fair. But was this social activism just a way for Heidi to make the front page? Because this $5000 Yves Saint Laurent Ostrich Muse she’s toting doesn't say "I care about fighting poverty." It says "I care about looking sexy, and if I have to support the slaughter of ostriches and spend a few thou to do is, so be it."

Nicole Richie's $18,000 Balenciaga Bag Addiction

Image source: Fashionista

Finally we've got everyone's favorite spoiled little rich girl, Nicole Richie. She'd like us to believe her work with UNICEF means she's got a soul, but we know the truth. All that's just a way to get in to those fancy shmancy dinners!

If she'd really like to help fight poverty, perhaps she could offload some of those Balenciaga bags she's so obsessed with. Nicole reportedly has twelve of the luxury handbags including Part Timers, Weekenders, and City purses. All that adds up to more than $18,000. $18,000! It's not quite up to Posh's standards, but it's more than any socially responsible girl would spend!

Perhaps these celebs should check out these designer replicas. They'd allow the stars to have all the style of the pricy purses they adore at a fraction of the cost. They could donate the thousands they'd save to some of those charities they love so much!