Bill Gates Announces Plan to Donate 99% of His Wealth by 2045
Seattle, USA — Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has announced his intention to donate 99% of his vast personal fortune by the year 2045, marking one of the most ambitious charitable commitments in modern history.
Speaking at a global philanthropy summit in Seattle, Gates reaffirmed his long-standing belief that extreme wealth should be used to benefit humanity. “I have always believed that with great wealth comes great responsibility. My goal is to give back the majority of what I’ve earned to help tackle the world’s toughest challenges—poverty, disease, education, and climate change,” Gates said during his keynote address.
With an estimated net worth of over $130 billion, the pledge means that more than $128 billion could be directed toward charitable causes over the next two decades. Gates emphasized that his donations will continue to be channeled primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest private philanthropic organizations in the world.
Founded in 2000, the Foundation has already invested billions of dollars in global health initiatives, vaccine development, agricultural innovation, and educational reform, particularly in developing nations. Gates’ new pledge is expected to further accelerate progress in these areas.
This announcement is in line with Gates’ participation in The Giving Pledge, an initiative he co-founded with Warren Buffett in 2010, encouraging billionaires to commit at least half of their wealth to philanthropic efforts during their lifetimes or in their wills.
Reactions from global leaders, fellow philanthropists, and the public have been largely positive, with many praising Gates for his continued dedication to global welfare.
“We hope this inspires others in positions of wealth and influence to act boldly for the good of humanity,” said a spokesperson from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
As the world continues to face mounting crises, Gates’ renewed philanthropic commitment sends a powerful message about the potential of private wealth to drive global change.