by Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has announced his plan to donate nearly all of his vast fortune and officially shut down the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045.
In a powerful statement on the foundation’s 25th anniversary, Gates revealed his commitment to doubling the foundation’s donations over the next two decades — aiming to contribute $200 billion to global causes that uplift the world’s poorest communities. The foundation has already distributed over $100 billion since its inception in 2000.
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” Gates stated.
“There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.”
Inspired by “The Gospel of Wealth”
Gates said the decision came after extensive reflection and reading, citing Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 essay “The Gospel of Wealth” as a major influence. Carnegie’s message — that the wealthy have a moral obligation to give back — laid the groundwork for modern philanthropy, Gates explained.
Now 69, Gates says his mission is to address some of the world’s most pressing issues: child mortality, preventable diseases like polio, malaria, and measles, and extreme poverty. He also criticized recent cuts in foreign aid by nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France, saying:
“It’s unclear whether the world’s richest countries will continue to stand up for its poorest people.”
Despite the foundation’s massive funding power, Gates emphasized that government support remains essential for real progress.
Legacy of Giving
Founded in 2000 alongside his then-wife Melinda French Gates, and later joined by investor Warren Buffett, the Gates Foundation has become one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Gates shared that he has “come a long way” from his early days of launching Microsoft with a friend from middle school.
Recent photos show Gates visiting schools in Indonesia and speaking at global events in Singapore and London, further highlighting his ongoing commitment to philanthropy.
