One of the world’s most prolific philanthropists, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has announced plans to give away nearly all of his fortune, 99% of it within the next two decades.
By 2045, Gates says, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will close its doors, having completed a philanthropic journey aimed at eradicating disease, ending extreme poverty, and improving the lives of millions.
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die,” Gates wrote in a personal blog post on Thursday, “but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them.”
Gates, who is currently worth over $108 billion, plans to direct a further $200 billion through his foundation by 2045. If fulfilled, this commitment would bring the total lifetime spending of the foundation to $300 billion, making it one of the most ambitious charitable undertakings in modern history.
Gates shared a hand-drawn chart showing his net worth today and a bold downward arrow ending near zero by 2045. This is a visual symbol of intent. At most, this shift represents a faster timeline than originally envisioned, which had planned for the foundation to outlive both him and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, by several decades.
Inspired by investor Warren Buffett and the 19th-century industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Gates referenced Carnegie’s 1889 treatise The Gospel of Wealth, which famously states: “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.”
It’s a mantra Gates is clearly taking to heart.
Targeting Global Health and Inequality
The philanthropist outlined three key goals: ending preventable diseases that kill mothers and children, stamping out infectious diseases such as malaria and measles, and lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
These are not modest goals, but the Gates Foundation has long aimed high. It has already committed over $100 billion to development and health initiatives around the world, making it a central force in areas ranging from vaccine distribution to agricultural innovation.
However, Gates also used his announcement to critique wealthy nations—including the US, UK, and France—for rolling back their foreign aid budgets. “It’s a disservice to the world’s most vulnerable,” he wrote, calling on governments to recommit to international cooperation in public health and development.
Critics and Controversies
Not everyone sees Gates’ philanthropy in an entirely positive light. Some critics argue that his foundation, due to its size and reach, exerts disproportionate influence over global health agendas, and have accused Gates of using charitable giving as a tax shelter.
But the 69-yearold remains unfazed. “There will always be criticism,” he acknowledged in his post. “But the greater risk is doing nothing.”
Gates’ rise from tech whiz to billionaire mogul began in 1975 when he co-founded Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen. The company went on to dominate the software industry, turning Gates into one of the richest men in history. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left Microsoft’s board in 2020 to focus fully on philanthropy.
His transformation from the face of Big Tech to a symbol of billionaire giving, has come with both admiration and scrutiny. Still, Gates appears focused on legacy, not labels.
“If I can contribute to a better world,” he wrote, “then I will consider my life’s work worthwhile.”
By 2045, the world will know if his vision of a more equitable planet, one funded by nearly his entire fortune and has truly come to pass.
