Bill Gates has committed to donating almost his entire fortune by 2045 — “I will not die wealthy”
“I know many things will be said about me when I pass away, but I am determined that ‘died wealthy’ will not be one of them,” he stated.

Bill Gates announced his intention to give away nearly his entire personal fortune over the next twenty years, donating approximately $200 billion to the world’s poorest through his philanthropic foundation. His pledge comes at a time when many governments are reducing international development aid.

According to Reuters, the 69-year-old Microsoft co-founder said he is accelerating his plans to transfer his wealth and that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will close on December 31, 2045. “Many things will be said about me when I die, but I have decided that the phrase ‘died wealthy’ will not be one of them,” he wrote on his website. “There are too many urgent problems that could be helped if I held onto my wealth.”

Indirect Criticism of Trump Over Aid Cuts
Without naming him directly, Gates hinted at U.S. President Donald Trump, who drastically cut American foreign aid. He emphasized his goal to help save newborns, children, and mothers from preventable causes, eradicate diseases like polio, malaria, and measles, and reduce poverty.

“It’s not at all certain that the world’s wealthiest countries will continue supporting the poorer populations,” he noted, referencing cuts and contributions from major donors like the UK and France. Despite the foundation’s enormous resources, Gates stressed that progress cannot be achieved without government support.

He also praised the response to aid cuts in Africa, where some governments have reallocated their budgets, but he pointed out that, for example, polio will not be eradicated without U.S. funding.

This announcement was made on the 25th anniversary of the foundation’s creation, established in 2000 by Gates and then-wife Melinda French Gates, with later involvement from investor Warren Buffett.

Reflecting on the Journey
“I’ve come a long way since I was a kid making software with my buddy from high school,” Gates commented.

To date, the foundation has allocated over $100 billion, helping save millions of lives and supporting global initiatives such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The goal is to allocate 99% of Gates’ wealth and conclude its activities by 2045, though the final amount will depend on markets and inflation.

The foundation, with an expected annual budget of up to $9 billion by 2026, has faced criticism for its significant influence in global health without adequate accountability, even from WHO officials. Gates himself has been the subject of conspiracy theories, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gates stated he has spoken multiple times with President Trump about the importance of international health aid and called on other wealthy individuals to consider how much faster progress could be made for the most vulnerable if they expanded and accelerated their philanthropic efforts. “It’s a deeply meaningful way to give back to society,” he added.