In a landmark philanthropic move, Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has announced his intention to donate 99% of his remaining fortune—currently valued at $107 billion—to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This decision marks one of the largest acts of giving in modern history, with the foundation expected to distribute approximately $200 billion in charitable funding over the next two decades before it formally winds down operations by December 31, 2045.
Gates, who has been at the forefront of global health and development efforts for more than two decades, said the decision aligns with his long-held vision to give back the majority of his wealth for the betterment of humanity. “Leaving everything to charity after death feels too late. I want to see the impact of this giving in my lifetime,” Gates said in a public note explaining the move.
Founded in 2000, the Gates Foundation has already invested more than $100 billion in initiatives around the world, particularly in the fields of healthcare, disease eradication, vaccine access, education, and poverty alleviation. The foundation played a key role in global efforts to combat polio, malaria, and, more recently, COVID-19.
Under the new strategy, the foundation will significantly ramp up its annual spending, targeting pressing global challenges with the aim of maximizing impact within a limited timeframe. The decision to close by 2045 was driven by Gates’s belief that concentrating philanthropic capital within a finite period can generate more urgent and transformative change. “A 20-year time horizon allows for ambitious planning, focused execution, and a clear sunset,” he noted.
This announcement comes nearly a year after Melinda French Gates, co-chair and ex-wife of Bill Gates, stepped down from the foundation to pursue independent philanthropic work. Despite her departure, Gates emphasized that the foundation’s core mission will remain unchanged and that it will continue to be led by a strong team of global experts and advisors.
While Gates has acknowledged that private philanthropy cannot replace the role of governments, he urged public institutions to increase their investments in public health, education, and climate resilience. “Philanthropy can be catalytic, but systemic change requires public commitment and policy leadership,” he said.
Gates’s pledge also reflects a growing trend among ultra-wealthy individuals committing the bulk of their fortunes to societal causes during their lifetimes. Along with fellow billionaires like Warren Buffett, he has championed the “Giving Pledge,” encouraging other wealthy individuals to commit at least half of their wealth to charitable endeavors.
As the Gates Foundation begins its final chapter, the focus will be on accelerating impact, deepening partnerships, and ensuring that its legacy—one of science-backed, data-driven philanthropy—continues to shape the global development landscape for years to come.
