Bill Gates billionaire donates almost all his wealth

Atypical gesture. Bill Gates He said on Thursday that he will donate almost his entire personal fortune in the next two decades, stating that the poorest communities in the world will receive about $ 200 billion through his foundation, at a time when governments drastically reduce international aid, reports Reuters.

The 69-year-old billionaire, Microsoft and Philanthropic co-founder, said he accelerates the plans to donate his wealth and close the Gates Foundation on December 31, 2045.

« People will say all kinds of things about me after they die, but I am determined to do so that the statement » died rich « is not one of them, » Gates wrote in an article published on his website.

« There are too many urgent problems to solve to keep resources that could be used to help people. »

Gates, which thus brings an implicit criticism to President Donald Trump for cutting international aid, says he wants to contribute so that newborns, children and mothers do not die for preventable causes, to eradicate diseases such as polio, malaria, pojar, to reduce poverty.

« It is not known whether the richest countries in the world will continue to help the poorest, » he added, mentioning funds from the main donors, including the United Kingdom and France.

Gates also said that, despite the large amounts he owns, the progress will not be possible without government support.

The philanthropist appreciated the reaction to the cutting of funds for Africa, where some governments have reocured funds, but said that, for example, polio will not be eradicated in the absence of funding of the United States.

Gates made this announcement on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Foundation, established in 2000, along with the ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, who later joined investor Warren Buffett.

« I went through a long way from the moment, while I was just a kid, I set up a software company with my high school friend, » he said.

Since the establishment, the Foundation has made donations of $ 100 billion, contributing to the rescue of millions and supporting initiatives such as the Alliance for Gavi Vaccines, the Global Fund against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The foundation will close after spending about 99% of its personal wealth, Gates said. Initially, the founders estimated that the activity of the foundation will end in the decades after their death.

Gates, whose fortune is currently evaluated at about $ 108 billion, is expected to spend about $ 200 billion by 2045, the final amount depending on financial and inflation markets.

The foundation is already an important player in the global health, with an annual budget that will reach $ 9 billion in 2026.

The foundation was criticized for the oversized power and influence that it exerts in this field without the necessary responsibility, including the World Health Organization.

For his part, Bill Gates was the subject of conspiracy theories, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gates spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, several times in recent months of the importance of a continuous investment in global health.

« I hope that other rich people will understand how much they can accelerate the progress for the poor communities of mankind if they amplify their pace and extent of donations because it is an extremely impact way to give society something in return, » Gates wrote.