Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Monday disclosed that he has donated $100 billion to charitable causes.
What Happened: Despite Gates’ extensive philanthropic efforts, he remains the world’s seventh-richest person, with an estimated net worth of $164 billion, according to Bloomberg Billionaires.
In an interview with the BBC, he said philanthropy is now his primary focus and that giving away such a large sum has not impacted his personal lifestyle.
“I still have more to give,” he said, adding that “I will give away the vast majority of my money; it’s my full-time focus for the rest of my life, and I enjoy it.”
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He noted that the scale of his giving has not required any sacrifices, insisting that his daily life remains unchanged. “I didn’t order less hamburgers or less movies.”
Why It Matters: Had Gates retained the $100 billion he has donated, his total wealth would be around $264 billion, placing him second on the global wealth rankings behind Elon Musk and ahead of Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
As of Wednesday’s market close, Gates’ net worth ranks him two spots ahead of his longtime friend Warren Buffett, who is valued at $148 billion, and three spots above former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, whose fortune stands at $144 billion.
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His donations are part of a broader pattern of billionaire philanthropy, including Buffett, who has given tens of billions of dollars over the years. Gates co-founded the Giving Pledge in 2006 alongside Buffett and Melinda French Gates to encourage other ultra-wealthy individuals to commit the majority of their fortunes to charitable efforts.
Gates, who released his memoir Source Code: My Beginnings this week, has previously advocated for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy, arguing that people like him should have about a third of their current wealth.
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