Bill Gates pledges his remaining fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will close in 20 years

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 12:36 pm

Bill Gates to Donate Remaining Fortune to Gates Foundation, Closing in 20 Years

In a landmark move, Bill Gates has announced he will donate nearly his entire remaining fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, accelerating its closure to 2045. This massive philanthropic commitment, estimated at $107 billion today, will allow the foundation to spend an additional $200 billion over the next two decades, significantly impacting global health and education initiatives, particularly in the U.S. and worldwide.

This donation, among the largest in history, underscores Gates' commitment to addressing critical global issues. The foundation, established in 2000 with Melinda French Gates, has played a pivotal role in shaping global health policy, driving down the cost of medical treatments, and supporting scientific research. Key achievements include contributing to a significant drop in childhood deaths from preventable causes.

The accelerated closure, previously planned for two decades after Gates' death, signals a shift in the foundation's long-term strategy. While the foundation will maintain a substantial annual budget of around $9 billion, it will likely narrow its focus to its top priorities, including eradicating polio, controlling diseases like malaria, and reducing malnutrition. Despite facing global challenges like conflicts and economic instability, Gates remains optimistic about the foundation's ability to make a lasting impact, emphasizing the importance of continued support for those in greatest need.

Keywords: Bill Gates, Gates Foundation, philanthropy, donation, global health, education, childhood deaths, Melinda French Gates, Mark Suzman, Warren Buffett, Microsoft, global health policy, eradicate polio, malaria, malnutrition, philanthropic gifts, non-profit, charitable giving, Gates Foundation closure.

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