Bill Gates has pledged to donate nearly his entire fortune by 2045, declaring, “I will not die wealthy.” He stated, “Many things will be said about me when I pass away, but I am determined that ‘died wealthy’ will not be one of them.”
Gates plans to give away around $200 billion over the next two decades through his philanthropic foundation, focusing on helping the world’s poorest. His commitment comes at a time when international development aid is being slashed by various governments.
As reported by Reuters, the 69-year-old co-founder of Microsoft revealed he is fast-tracking his wealth transfer and announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will wind down its operations by December 31, 2045. “Many will have things to say about me when I die, but I’ve decided that ‘died wealthy’ will not be among them,” he expressed on his website. “There are pressing issues that can be addressed if I do not retain my wealth.”
Subtle Critique of Trump on Aid Withdrawals
While not mentioning him by name, Gates alluded to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made substantial cuts to American foreign aid. He highlighted his mission to protect newborns, children, and mothers from preventable causes, eradicate diseases like polio, malaria, and measles, and combat poverty.
He remarked, “It’s uncertain whether the wealthiest nations will continue supporting poorer populations,” referring to budget cuts from major contributors like the UK and France. Gates emphasized that while his foundation has vast resources, real progress requires government backing.
Although he commended African nations for reallocating budgets in response to aid cuts, he pointed out that, for instance, polio eradication cannot occur without U.S. funding.
This announcement coincides with the 25th anniversary of the foundation, which Gates and his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, established in 2000, later joined by investor Warren Buffett.
Reflecting on the Journey
“I’ve come a long way since my days of writing software with a high school friend,” Gates remarked.
To date, the foundation has disbursed over $100 billion, aiding millions and supporting global initiatives such as the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The aim is to distribute 99% of Gates’ wealth and conclude its work by 2045, though the final amount will vary with market conditions and inflation.
With an anticipated annual budget of up to $9 billion by 2026, the foundation has faced scrutiny for its substantial influence in global health without sufficient accountability—even drawing criticism from WHO officials. Gates has also been the target of conspiracy theories, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He shared that he has had numerous discussions with President Trump about the significance of international health aid and urged other affluent individuals to consider how quickly progress could be made for the most vulnerable if they increased and expedited their philanthropic efforts. “It’s a profoundly meaningful way to give back to society,” he remarked.
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