Bill Gates is one of the richest men in the world, with a net worth of more than 105.1 billion dollars, according to Forbes data. Not yet at an advanced age (he is only 67 years old), she already knows who she will donate his inheritance to.
And no, contrary to what anyone may think, It’s not for their children Phoebe, Jennifer and Rory, that he had in the dissolved marriage with Melinda French.
The billionaire announced that his entire estate will go to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, that promotes philanthropic work, supporting educational initiatives and research to eradicate disease and poverty.
“Giving money is not a sacrifice for me,” Gates said, quoted by the Cronista portal. “I feel privileged to be able to get involved in facing these challenges, I enjoy the work and I believe that I have an obligation to return my resources to society, in ways that have the greatest possible impact in reducing suffering and improving lives.”
In a 2018 interview, Bill Gates explained why his inheritance will not go to his children. “It is not a favor for children to have large sums of wealth. It distorts anything they can do. They must create their own path”, indicated the creator of Microsoft.
However, each of his descendants would receive about 10 million dollars, more than enough to have a quiet life, as long as they invest well.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its contribution to humanity
Created in 1994, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation manages revenues of more than 34 billion dollars, with assets above 52 billion dollars. It has 1,603 employees and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
“For many people, including me, this is the most concrete way to contribute, even when it seems modest compared to the scale of the problems. Focusing on being part of the solution is better than giving up in despair.”
— Bill Gates
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the foundation topped the list of private philanthropic entities which has allocated the largest allocation to cooperation and development between 2013 and 2020.
Aid will increase over time, says Bill Gates
According to Bill Gates, by 2026 the foundation aims to invest 9 billion dollars annually, a figure that increases significantly compared to previous years due to issues such as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and climate change, among others.
“Personally, I am devoting much of my energy and resources to the innovators working on theto pandemic prevention, global health, climate mitigation (including the elimination of dependence on hydrocarbons) and adaptation, improvement of education (including remediation) and food costs. Gates notes on his blog.
“When I say ‘innovation,’ I mean new products and services, as well as new ways of delivering them to those who need them, including strengthening local leaders and institutions. These innovations will not arrive in time to avoid problems altogether, but the faster we move, the fewer people will suffer.”