Bill Gates is giving away his wealth. Well, almost all of it.
The billionaire and Microsoft founder recently announced that he would donate 99% of his remaining fortune to the Gates Foundation. The foundation is now set to shut down in 2045, significantly earlier than originally planned. Until then, the foundation will be drawing down its endowment and nearly all of Gates’s personal fortune, currently estimated at $107 billion.
Gates’s donation will be distributed over time, enabling the foundation to spend an additional USD 200 billion over the next 20 years. “It’s kind of thrilling to have that much to be able to put into these causes,” Gates said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Gates’ pledge now ranks among the largest philanthropic commitments in history, surpassing the inflation-adjusted donations of industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. Only Warren Buffett’s plan to donate his USD 160 billion fortune, depending on market fluctuations, may ultimately be larger.
But how much is Gates worth? What are his assets and investments?
Read on to find out.
Net worth of Bill Gates:
Over the years, the Microsoft founder has literally put the ‘Bill’ in ‘Billionaire’. According to Forbes, as of May 2025, his net worth stood at US$113 billion, making him the thirteenth-richest individual in the world.
How does Bill Gates make money?
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft alongside his childhood best friend, Paul Allen, in 1975. Throughout his tenure at the company, Gates has held multiple key positions, including CEO, chairman, and chief software architect. Microsoft’s MS-DOS operating system became the standard for IBM computers in 1980, substantially contributing to the company's early success. When Microsoft went public, Gates' shares were valued at $350 million, positioning him among the wealthiest individuals in America. The launch of Microsoft Office in 1990 further bolstered his wealth, and by the time Windows 95 was introduced in 1995, Gates enjoyed a brief stint as the richest person in the world, with his fortune reaching $100 billion in 1999.
Gates’ investment portfolio:
In terms of investments, Gates has diversified his portfolio significantly through his Cascade Investments group, holding shares in prominent companies such as Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, AutoNation, Deere & Co., and several Four Seasons hotels. Additionally, he has invested in Strategic Hotels and Resorts and the Canadian National Railway. Gates has stakes in Branded Entertainment Network, an advertising firm, and is involved with ResearchGate, a networking platform for scientists and researchers. He also chairs the nuclear reactor design company TerraPower.
Gates’ real estate portfolio:
Gates' real estate portfolio includes his well-known mansion near Seattle, referred to as "Xanadu 2.0." This expansive 11,500-square-foot home features amenities such as a large pool, extensive gym facilities, a trampoline room, a theater, and a library with hidden doors, among other luxurious features. In 2013, he acquired a property in Wellington, West Palm Beach, Florida, for $8.7 million, which includes facilities for equestrian activities. Over the following years, he purchased additional properties on the same street, amassing a total investment near $42 million in that area.
The luxurious additions:
In addition to these properties, Bill Gates owns a private island in Belize known as Grand Bogue Caye. His art collection is noteworthy; in 1994, he purchased the Codex Leicester, a notebook by Leonardo da Vinci, for $30.8 million. He has expressed admiration for da Vinci's scientific insights and contributions, noting the significance of owning such a historical document. Gates’ collection also features works by celebrated artists, including Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer, and George Bellows, with a total estimated value exceeding $100 million.
Gates is affiliated with NetJets, a private jet service, and it is speculated that he owns at least one private jet. His automobile collection showcases a preference for Porsches, beginning with a Porsche 911 he bought in 1979. He has owned several models over the years, including a Porsche 930, 964, and 959, along with a Ferrari 348 and a Jaguar XJ6. For everyday driving, Gates has mentioned using a "normal" Mercedes or a minivan.
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