Bill Gates Announces Plan to Donate Entire Fortune, Wind Down Foundation by 2045

 

Tech billionaire sets historic philanthropic goal to give away his $133 billion fortune within two decades.

By Global Philanthropy Desk
Seattle, WA | May 9, 2025

In a monumental shift that could redefine global philanthropy, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced on Thursday his intention to donate 100% of his personal wealth by the year 2045 and close the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shortly thereafter.

The move marks the most ambitious philanthropic commitment ever made by a private individual, signaling a dramatic acceleration of Gates’ decades-long mission to fight poverty, disease, and educational inequality across the globe.

A Life-Changing Pledge

In a personal blog post titled “The Final Gift,” Gates wrote, “It has always been my goal to return my resources to society. By 2045, I intend to give away my entire fortune and ensure the Foundation completes its mission with lasting impact.”

Gates’ current net worth is estimated at $133 billion, making him the fifth-richest person in the world. According to the post, all remaining funds will be distributed to the Foundation and a select group of global charities over the next 20 years, focusing primarily on climate change, pandemic preparedness, public health systems, and AI safety.

Foundation to Wind Down

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded in 2000 and now one of the world’s largest private charitable organizations, has committed more than $75 billion to public health, education, and development efforts worldwide.

Foundation CEO Mark Suzman confirmed that operations will be gradually phased out over the next two decades, with most of its funds expected to be deployed by 2045.

“This plan gives us 20 years to finish strong, scale what works, and empower local institutions to carry the torch,” Suzman said.

Global Reactions Pour In

The announcement drew praise from leaders and philanthropists across the globe. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called Gates' commitment “a legacy that will outlive any fortune,” while Warren Buffett, Gates’ longtime friend and fellow philanthropist, said it “raises the bar for what giving can mean.”

However, some critics questioned whether such concentrated wealth—even when donated—should wield such influence over global policy, calling instead for more democratic control of international development funding.

A Legacy of Giving

Since stepping down from Microsoft’s board in 2020, Gates has dedicated his full-time efforts to philanthropy, funding vaccine programs, agricultural development, and digital education across more than 130 countries.

With this latest pledge, Gates joins a growing list of ultra-wealthy individuals seeking to give away their fortunes within their lifetimes, but his timeline and scale set a new precedent.

“By 2045,” Gates wrote in closing, “I hope we’ll look back and say we used our time and resources to bend the arc of history toward justice and humanity.”