Bill Gates Plans to Give Away 99% of His Wealth by 2045

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, widely known for his philanthropic efforts, has made a bold announcement about his future plans regarding his wealth.

In a blog post commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates shared his plan to give away 99% of his wealth within the next 20 years. With a current net worth of $108 billion, Gates emphasized that he does not wish to be remembered as someone who died rich.

Bill Gates on Dying Rich

In the blog post, Gates cited a quote from industrialist Andrew Carnegie’s essay:

“The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.”

Reflecting on the quote, Gates said, “I have spent a lot of time thinking about that quote lately. People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that 'he died rich' will not be one of them.”

He added, “There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.”

A Shift in Strategy for the Gates Foundation

When Gates and his then-wife Melinda founded the Gates Foundation in 2000, their initial plan was to sunset the organization a few decades after their deaths. However, Gates has now revised that timeline:

“A few years ago, I began to rethink that approach. More recently, with input from our board, I now believe we can achieve the foundation’s goals on a shorter timeline, especially if we double down on key investments and provide more certainty to our partners,” he explained.

He also revealed that the foundation will cease operations permanently on December 31, 2045.

Gates Foundation’s Impact So Far

Over $100 Billion Donated in 25 Years

The Gates Foundation has already distributed over $100 billion since its inception, working primarily in global health and poverty alleviation. Gates noted that 2025 marks several milestones:

“In addition to celebrating the foundation’s 25th anniversary, this year also marks several other milestones: It would have been the year my dad, who helped me start the foundation, turned 100; Microsoft is turning 50; and I turn 70 in October.”

What’s Next: Gates Foundation’s 20-Year Roadmap

Vision for a More Equitable World

Gates stated:

“Over the next twenty years, the foundation will work together with our partners to make as much progress towards our vision of a more equitable world as possible.”

The foundation will focus on three main objectives in the coming two decades:

Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality

Improving Nutrition and Access to Medicines

Between 1990 and 2019, the child mortality rate for children under five dropped from 12 million to 5 million. Building on this progress, the foundation aims to further reduce this number by:

• Enhancing maternal and child nutrition

• Expanding access to life-saving vaccines and medicines

• Reaching underserved communities globally

Eliminating Infectious Diseases

Malaria, Measles, and Tuberculosis on Target

Bill Gates shared his ambition to eliminate diseases like measles and malaria, much like smallpox was eradicated:

“The key to maximising the impact of these innovations will be lowering their costs to make them affordable everywhere, and I expect the Gates Foundation will play a big role in making that happen,” he wrote.

He added that tuberculosis is also among the diseases the foundation aims to tackle before its closure.

Eradicating Global Poverty

Criticism of Wealthy Nations

Gates voiced concern over the decline in foreign aid from developed nations:

“It’s unclear whether the world’s richest countries will continue to stand up for its poorest people,” he said.
“But the one thing we can guarantee is that, in all of our work, the Gates Foundation will support efforts to help people and countries pull themselves out of poverty.”

Conclusion

With an eye on closing the Gates Foundation by 2045, Bill Gates is accelerating his philanthropic mission to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From combating deadly diseases to lifting millions out of poverty, Gates’ new 20-year roadmap marks a transformative shift. As he approaches 70, the billionaire’s legacy will likely be defined not by his riches, but by how he used them to drive global progress.