Bill Gates is giving away his ENTIRE fortune—Find out why he’s spending $200 billion.
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If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do with a billion dollars, Bill Gates has an answer: give it away.
In a move that’s making headlines around the world, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist has announced he’s planning to give away nearly all of his $108 billion fortune over the next 20 years.
And he’s not just talking about a few generous donations—he’s aiming to reduce his net worth by a staggering 99 percent, with the goal of spending more than $200 billion through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation before closing its doors for good in 2045.
A Legacy Inspired by History—and Urgency
Bill Gates has always been a voracious reader, and it turns out a 19th-century essay helped shape his modern-day mission.
In a recent post on his personal blog, GatesNotes, he credits Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 essay The Gospel of Wealth as a major influence.
Carnegie, one of America’s original philanthropists, argued that the wealthy have a moral obligation to use their riches to improve society.
Gates took that message to heart, writing, “There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.”
Gates is determined not to be remembered as the man who “died rich.” Instead, he wants his legacy to be one of action—of using his resources to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges while he’s still here to see the results.
Why Now? A Milestone Year and a Change in Plans
This announcement comes at a meaningful time for Gates. In 2025, he’ll turn 70, his late father would have turned 100, and Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
It’s also the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he and his then-wife Melinda launched in 2000.
Originally, the Gates Foundation was designed to continue its work long after Bill and Melinda were gone. But Gates says he’s had a change of heart.
Also read: Shock confession from theme park CEO: Could your favorite resort be shutting down for good after 50 years?
“Several years ago, I began to rethink,” he explains. “I realized the foundation’s goals may actually be able to be achieved on a shorter timeline.” Now, the plan is to spend down the foundation’s endowment and close its doors permanently by December 31, 2045.
Where Will the Money Go?
So, what does $200 billion buy in the world of philanthropy?
According to Gates, the foundation’s mission is to “save and improve as many lives as possible.” That means:
- Ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies
- Lifting millions out of poverty
- Fighting deadly infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS
- Supporting global health initiatives, including vaccine development and distribution
- Improving education and access to technology in underserved communities
Gates emphasizes that this work isn’t done in isolation.
“Progress depends on so many people around the globe: brilliant scientists who discover new breakthroughs, private companies that develop life-saving tools, healthcare workers on the front lines, and governments and nonprofits that bring solutions to scale,” he says. The foundation’s role is to support and accelerate these efforts, acting as a catalyst for change.
A Track Record of Giving—and a New Chapter
The Gates Foundation is already one of the world’s largest charitable organizations. Over the past 25 years, it has given away more than $100 billion, thanks in part to the generosity of fellow billionaire Warren Buffett.
Now, Gates says the foundation will double its giving over the next two decades, spending more than $200 billion before closing its doors.
This approach—sometimes called “spend-down philanthropy”—is gaining traction among a new generation of donors who want to see the impact of their giving in their lifetimes, rather than creating foundations that last forever.
Gates believes this urgency is necessary to address the world’s most critical problems.
What Does This Mean for You?
You might be wondering: How does Bill Gates giving away his fortune affect me? While most of us don’t have billions to spare, the ripple effects of this kind of philanthropy can be felt around the world—and right here at home.
Source: CBS Mornings / Youtube.
And perhaps most importantly, Gates’ example challenges all of us to think about our own legacies.
Whether it’s volunteering, supporting a local charity, or simply helping a neighbor, we all have the power to make a difference.
Read next: What did Jill Biden's “signal” on “The View” to Joe Biden mean?
Have you been inspired by Gates’ philanthropy? Do you have a favorite charity or cause you support? Share your stories and ideas in the comments below!
In a move that’s making headlines around the world, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist has announced he’s planning to give away nearly all of his $108 billion fortune over the next 20 years.
And he’s not just talking about a few generous donations—he’s aiming to reduce his net worth by a staggering 99 percent, with the goal of spending more than $200 billion through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation before closing its doors for good in 2045.
A Legacy Inspired by History—and Urgency
Bill Gates has always been a voracious reader, and it turns out a 19th-century essay helped shape his modern-day mission.
In a recent post on his personal blog, GatesNotes, he credits Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 essay The Gospel of Wealth as a major influence.
Carnegie, one of America’s original philanthropists, argued that the wealthy have a moral obligation to use their riches to improve society.
Gates took that message to heart, writing, “There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.”
Bill Gates has announced he will give away nearly all his fortune, aiming to reduce his net worth by 99 percent over the next 20 years. Image source: CBS Mornings / Youtube.
Gates is determined not to be remembered as the man who “died rich.” Instead, he wants his legacy to be one of action—of using his resources to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges while he’s still here to see the results.
Why Now? A Milestone Year and a Change in Plans
This announcement comes at a meaningful time for Gates. In 2025, he’ll turn 70, his late father would have turned 100, and Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
It’s also the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he and his then-wife Melinda launched in 2000.
Originally, the Gates Foundation was designed to continue its work long after Bill and Melinda were gone. But Gates says he’s had a change of heart.
Also read: Shock confession from theme park CEO: Could your favorite resort be shutting down for good after 50 years?
“Several years ago, I began to rethink,” he explains. “I realized the foundation’s goals may actually be able to be achieved on a shorter timeline.” Now, the plan is to spend down the foundation’s endowment and close its doors permanently by December 31, 2045.
Where Will the Money Go?
So, what does $200 billion buy in the world of philanthropy?
According to Gates, the foundation’s mission is to “save and improve as many lives as possible.” That means:
- Ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies
- Lifting millions out of poverty
- Fighting deadly infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS
- Supporting global health initiatives, including vaccine development and distribution
- Improving education and access to technology in underserved communities
By 2045, the Gates Foundation will permanently close its doors, with Gates expecting the foundation to spend over $200 billion by then. Image source: CBS Mornings / Youtube.
Gates emphasizes that this work isn’t done in isolation.
“Progress depends on so many people around the globe: brilliant scientists who discover new breakthroughs, private companies that develop life-saving tools, healthcare workers on the front lines, and governments and nonprofits that bring solutions to scale,” he says. The foundation’s role is to support and accelerate these efforts, acting as a catalyst for change.
A Track Record of Giving—and a New Chapter
The Gates Foundation is already one of the world’s largest charitable organizations. Over the past 25 years, it has given away more than $100 billion, thanks in part to the generosity of fellow billionaire Warren Buffett.
Now, Gates says the foundation will double its giving over the next two decades, spending more than $200 billion before closing its doors.
The majority of the money will go towards saving and improving lives worldwide, including tackling infectious diseases, reducing preventable deaths, and lifting people out of poverty. Image source: CBS Mornings / Youtube.
This approach—sometimes called “spend-down philanthropy”—is gaining traction among a new generation of donors who want to see the impact of their giving in their lifetimes, rather than creating foundations that last forever.
Gates believes this urgency is necessary to address the world’s most critical problems.
What Does This Mean for You?
You might be wondering: How does Bill Gates giving away his fortune affect me? While most of us don’t have billions to spare, the ripple effects of this kind of philanthropy can be felt around the world—and right here at home.
- Global Health: The Gates Foundation’s investments in vaccines, disease prevention, and healthcare infrastructure have already helped save millions of lives. Their work on COVID-19 vaccines, for example, helped speed up development and distribution worldwide.
- Education: Grants from the foundation have supported schools, libraries, and digital learning initiatives in the US and abroad, helping older adults and younger generations alike access new opportunities.
- Poverty Reduction: By funding programs that create jobs, improve agriculture, and support small businesses, the foundation helps lift communities out of poverty—creating a more stable and prosperous world for everyone.
Source: CBS Mornings / Youtube.
And perhaps most importantly, Gates’ example challenges all of us to think about our own legacies.
Whether it’s volunteering, supporting a local charity, or simply helping a neighbor, we all have the power to make a difference.
Read next: What did Jill Biden's “signal” on “The View” to Joe Biden mean?
Have you been inspired by Gates’ philanthropy? Do you have a favorite charity or cause you support? Share your stories and ideas in the comments below!
