LONDON – Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has unveiled an ambitious commitment to donate nearly all his personal wealth over the next two decades, pledging approximately $200 billion through his charitable foundation to tackle global health issues and poverty, especially at a time when international aid budgets are being scaled back.
Now 69 years old, Gates announced plans to accelerate the distribution of his fortune and to formally wind down the operations of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045.
“I don’t want my legacy to be about wealth accumulation,” Gates shared in a recent blog post. “There are too many urgent crises in the world—this is the time to act, not hoard.”
While not naming any one administration, Gates’ remarks subtly highlighted the risks posed by declining aid from leading donor nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. He emphasized the urgent need to reduce preventable deaths among newborns, children, and mothers, and to end the spread of diseases like malaria, polio, and measles.
“The willingness of wealthier nations to support the most vulnerable communities is now uncertain,” he noted. “Progress in public health depends not just on philanthropic contributions, but also on consistent support from governments.”
In response to foreign aid cuts, some African nations have adjusted their national budgets to compensate. However, Gates pointed out that ending diseases like polio still requires ongoing U.S. financial involvement.
The announcement coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Gates Foundation, established in 2000 alongside his then-wife Melinda French Gates, with billionaire investor Warren Buffett later joining as a key contributor.
Reflecting on his journey, Gates wrote, “From writing software with a childhood friend to dedicating my life to global health, I’ve come a long way—and I still have work to do.”
Foundation’s Impact: $100 Billion Already Donated
Since its founding, the Gates Foundation has disbursed over $100 billion, significantly improving global access to vaccines, healthcare, and disease prevention programs. The foundation is known for supporting influential initiatives such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Gates estimates that the foundation will invest a total of $200 billion by 2045, depending on market conditions and economic factors. By that time, nearly 99% of his wealth will have been allocated, fulfilling his goal of using his fortune to fuel long-term humanitarian progress.
Looking ahead, the foundation’s annual budget is projected to climb to $9 billion by 2026, making it one of the largest non-governmental funding sources for global health.
Despite its success, the Gates Foundation has also faced scrutiny for its immense influence in global health policy, often operating with limited oversight. Gates himself has been the subject of unfounded conspiracy theories, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, Gates continues to advocate for greater generosity from the world’s wealthiest individuals, emphasizing that large-scale philanthropy can make a profound difference.
“I urge others with resources to ask themselves how much more impact they could create if they accelerated their giving,” he wrote. “Supporting the world’s most vulnerable is one of the most meaningful ways to give back.”