George Michael was beloved for his incredible talent but what the world didn't know before his death was how generous he was with his wealth.

Stories of his thoughtful acts are being shared with fans, friends and charities paying tribute to the generous star who died on Christmas Day of suspected heart failure, aged 53.

In one instance, Michael donated over $18,000 to a game show contestant who said she was competing on the show to fund IVF treatment. The good deed was shared by UK TV presenter, producer and director Richard Osman.

A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k.

— Richard Osman (@richardosman)

Michael also gave a woman in a cafe $30,600 after overhearing her crying over how much debt she had.

George Michael apparently gave a stranger in a cafe £25k when he overheard her crying over debt. Left a cheque behind before heading out.

— Shehab Khan (@ShehabKhan)

Charities in the UK are also sharing their stories, with Childline founder Esther Rantzen saying Michael gave every single cent of his royalties from 1996 hit Jesus To A Child to the charity which assists children in need through a phone counselling service.

Preview of my very moving BBC interview with Esther Rantzen about George Michael's EXTRAORDINARY generosity in giving millions to Childline. pic.twitter.com/EVYTVYZp0m

— Ben Moore (@bigbenmoore)

Children were certainly close to his heart, with more stories of his generosity to children's charities being shared on Twitter. Charity advocate Kate Waugh shared a story she was told about Michael's anonymous donations to another children's charity.

A lady from a children's charity once told me they were only still afloat because of George Michael ❤ https://t.co/W0vs3QxN1E

— Kate Waugh (@katewaugh)

Friends say Michael was passionate about charity work but wanted to contribute anonymously, asking recipients to keep his donations a secret. Actress and activist Emilyne Mondo said the singer had asked her not to tell anyone about the time he spent volunteering at a homeless shelter.

George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter I was volunteering at. I've never told anyone, he asked we didn't. That's who he was

— EMILYNE MONDO (@EmilyneMondo)

The singer also supported HIV and sexual health charities after losing his partner Anselmo Feleppa to HIV. Michael's friends said Feleppa's death 'shattered' the star.

Donations to British HIV charity the Terence Higgins Trust followed and he also donated royalties from Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, his 1991 duet with Elton John to the charity.

His mother Lesley Angold Panayiotou died in 1997 from cancer and following her death, George Michael gave a free concert to the NHS nurses who cared for her. He then reportedly gave an $6200 tip to a bartender when he found out she was a nursing student. Both stories were shared by UK journalist Sali Hughes.

I wrote in a piece ages ago about a celeb I'd worked with tipping a barmaid £5k because she was a student nurse in debt. Was George Michael.

— Sali Hughes (@salihughes)

George Michael was also the only star on HWTBAMillionaire who, when gambling all the charity's cash, said "if I lose it, I'll just pay it".

— Sali Hughes (@salihughes)

George Michael also put on free concerts for NHS nurses, when others were falling over themselves for tickets. He was an absolute mensch.

— Sali Hughes (@salihughes)

Michael also supported causes including striking miners, Palestine, and the homeless, reports The Guardian.

George Michael was found dead in bed by his partner, Australian-born hairdresser Fadi Fawaz, "lying peacefully" in bed at home in Goring, Oxfordshire in the UK on Christmas Day.

The singer is being remembered for his incredible talent and generosity at the end of a difficult year of celebrity deaths. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans as they adjust to this terrible loss.

Watch George Michael rehearse 'Somebody to Love' for a charity concert, as David Bowie looks on: