Bill Gates.Photo:Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu via Getty
Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu via Getty
Bill Gatesremains committedgiving away his moneyand can’t wait to no longer be on the list of the world’s wealthiest people.
The 68-year-old Microsoft co-founder — who has long pledged togive the majority of his wealth to address social problems— toldCNNon Tuesday that he anticipated he will meet his goal in about 20 years and that he’s currently giving away money at a rate of $9 billion a year.
“I have more than enough money for my own consumption,” said Gates. “I’m getting myself to go down the list, and I’ll be proud when I fall off altogether.”
Gates is currently listed as the fourth-wealthiest individual in the world with a net worth of $141 billion, according toBloomberg’s Billionaire Index.
The tech entrepreneur, ex-wifeMelinda French GatesandWarren Buffettare the creators ofThe Giving Pledge, which is described on its website as “an open invitation for billionaires, or those who would be if not for their giving, to publicly commit to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropy either during their lifetimes or in their wills.”
In July 2022, Gates said he planned to give“virtually all” of his wealthto theBill and Melinda Gates Foundation, according to a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I have an obligation to return my resources to society in ways that have the greatest impact for reducing suffering and improving lives,”Gates wroteon the social media platform at the time.
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In a blog post shared that same day, Gates said he only plans tokeep enough moneyfor “what I spend on myself and my family." He also said he plans to continue investing and giving money to various causes.
“Overall I expect that the work in these areas will make money, which will also go to the foundation,” he remarked, going on to share his hope that “others in positions of great wealth and privilege will step up in this moment too.”
He previously praised Buffett, a fellow billionaire, for his contributions to the Gates Foundation.
“His incredible generosity is a huge reason why the foundation has been able to be so ambitious,”Gates said of Buffett, now 93, in his July 2022 thread on X. “I can never adequately express how much I appreciate his friendship and guidance.”
source: people.com
