Bill Gates wants to get out of the list of the richest people in the world and will donate his entire fortune to the philanthropic foundation he owns with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates, reported the Spanish newspaper El País.
The founder of Microsoft announced on Wednesday an injection of 20 billion dollars (approximately 19.8 billion euros) in the foundation. With these funds, the organization, which is the world’s largest private philanthropic association, ensures that will increase its annual spending on global health, poverty and equality by 50% by 2026.
In his blog, Bill Gates clarified that he intends to donate all his assets to the foundation and highlighted the investments he makes in the areas of health and the environment.
“I make grants and investments in US health issues, including Alzheimer’s, outside of the foundation. Through Breakthrough Energy, I will continue to invest and donate funds to combat climate change. I hope that the work in these areas will produce money that can also go to the foundation,” she said.
Donating money is not a sacrifice for me. I feel privileged to be involved in solving these challenges, I enjoy the work and believe I have an obligation to give back to society in a way that has the greatest possible impact in reducing suffering and improving lives.”
Forbes magazine stated that Bill and Melinda Gates are, at the moment, the the world’s greatest philanthropistswith around 55 billion donated so far.
In addition to the foundation they share, the couple conceived the Giving Pledge initiative to convince the richest people in the world to donate half of their fortune to social causes.
US tycoon Warren Buffet left half his fortune in the foundation over the past 15 years, but stepped down as trustee last year.
Warren Buffett leaves the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he left half his fortune
According to the foundation, since its creation in 2000, invested $79.2 billion in the fight against poverty, disease and inequality.
Bill and Melinda Gates divorced in 2021, but continue to share the presidency of their foundation. However, the duo are on probation for two years. If they don’t work effectively, Melinda will leave the foundation.
Bill and Melinda Gates are officially divorced
Bill Gates also expressed the will to “fulfill the mission of the foundation: to give all people the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives.”
Source: Observadora
