Gates to Donate $107 Billion, Closing Foundation by 2045

Bill Gates dedicated 99% of his $107 billion wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which will close operations in 2045 before its scheduled end date. The donation announcement stands as one of the largest philanthropic contributions in history after Rockefeller and Carnegie donations while possibly ranking below Warren Buffett’s $160 billion commitment. The foundation which has distributed $100 billion since 2000 plans to allocate $200 billion across twenty years while sustaining its annual budget at $9 billion. Gates plans to eliminate polio and malaria and malnutrition while cutting childhood mortality rates because preventable child deaths have decreased by nearly half since 2000. The foundation faces criticism about its worldwide health influence and tax advantages yet Gates maintains his right to use his wealth for saving lives. The decision took place after two major developments: his divorce from Melinda French Gates in 2021 and Buffett stepping down as trustee. CEO Mark Suzman will direct the organization toward high-impact investments while acknowledging internal doubts about program sustainability. Gates warned about decreasing global health funding while advocating for sustained support of the world’s poorest people during times of conflict and economic instability.