Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the most influential figures in modern philanthropy, has announced a bold and definitive plan to give away his entire fortune over the next two decades. In what he describes as the final chapter of his life’s work, Gates declared that by December 31, 2045, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will permanently close its doors after completing its mission to improve lives around the world.
The 69-year-old billionaire shared this monumental decision in an article published on his official website on Thursday. Framing the announcement as a culmination of personal reflection and strategic planning, Gates emphasized his commitment to global impact rather than personal wealth accumulation. Currently ranked by Forbes as the 13th richest individual on the planet, Gates holds a net worth of approximately $113.8 billion—although he personally estimates it at $108 billion. All of this, he now vows, will be donated within the next 20 years.
A Legacy of Innovation and Global Impact
Since founding Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen, Gates has revolutionized the world of personal computing. However, his influence has long since extended beyond technology. Over the past two decades, he has turned his focus toward philanthropy, investing in areas like public health, education, climate change, and poverty alleviation.
Through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—established in 2000—he has channeled billions of dollars into ambitious projects aimed at eradicating diseases, improving sanitation, supporting agricultural development, and expanding educational opportunities in underserved communities. Under Gates’s leadership, the foundation has become one of the most powerful philanthropic organizations in the world, distributing more than $100 billion in grants since its inception.
Gates credited the substantial progress of the foundation to long-time collaborator and fellow philanthropist Warren Buffett, whose own wealth and commitment to charitable giving have greatly supported the foundation’s activities. Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has contributed tens of billions of dollars to the Gates Foundation, further fueling its expansive global mission.
Accelerating the Timeline: A Shift in Strategy
Gates revealed that the foundation’s original charter included a clause stating it would close “several decades” after the deaths of both he and Melinda French Gates. However, after years of reconsideration and discussions with the organization’s board of directors, Gates concluded that the mission could be accomplished on a faster timeline.
“A few years ago, I began to rethink that approach,” he explained. “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.”
By accelerating the timeline, Gates believes the foundation can make a more immediate and lasting impact. His decision reflects a growing trend among modern philanthropists who are choosing to donate their fortunes during their lifetimes rather than through posthumous bequests.
$200 Billion for the Next 20 Years
Looking ahead, Gates stated that the foundation will more than double its rate of giving in the coming years. While acknowledging that exact figures will depend on variables like inflation and market performance, he estimated that the foundation will spend over $200 billion by the time it closes in 2045. This sum includes not only the current endowment but also additional personal contributions he plans to make.
“This is not just about giving away money—it’s about using resources to save lives, reduce suffering, and give everyone a chance to live a healthy and productive life,” Gates emphasized.
According to him, these upcoming contributions will allow the foundation to deepen its existing commitments and expand into new areas of opportunity, ensuring that its final two decades leave a permanent mark on the world.
A Personal Milestone: Reflecting on 50 Years of Microsoft
As Microsoft approaches its 50th anniversary, Gates took a moment to reflect on how far he has come from his early days as a teenage programmer launching a software company. He described this new phase—devoting all his remaining resources to philanthropy—as a fitting way to celebrate the milestone and bring closure to the wealth that originated from his decades of success in the tech industry.
“I’ve come a long way since I was just a kid starting a software company with my friend from middle school,” he wrote. “As Microsoft turns 50 years old, it feels right that I celebrate the milestone by committing to give away the resources I earned through the company.”
Gates noted that this decision feels like the natural conclusion to a lifetime of achievement. “Today’s announcement almost certainly marks the beginning of the last chapter of my career, and I’m okay with that,” he stated.
A New Model of Giving
Gates’s announcement aligns with a broader philanthropic movement that encourages billionaires to commit the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Along with Warren Buffett and others, Gates helped launch The Giving Pledge in 2010, urging fellow billionaires to use their fortunes to address pressing global issues during their lifetimes.
His latest move pushes that principle to its most ambitious extreme—giving it all away within a specific timeline and then winding down operations entirely.
Unlike some other foundations that plan to operate indefinitely, the Gates Foundation now follows what’s known as a “sunsetting” model, which involves spending down all assets and closing by a designated date. Proponents of this model argue it allows for more focused impact, clearer accountability, and greater urgency in achieving objectives.
Looking Ahead: The Final Push
Over the next 20 years, the Gates Foundation will continue to operate as one of the largest and most influential philanthropic bodies in the world. With a significantly increased budget, the organization will be positioned to scale up its efforts in key areas such as disease prevention, agricultural innovation, global education, and climate resilience.
At the same time, Gates’s commitment sends a powerful message to other ultra-wealthy individuals: that the true legacy of wealth lies not in accumulation, but in its ability to change lives.
As the foundation enters what Gates describes as its final chapter, its mission remains steadfast—to save lives, lift communities out of poverty, and give people everywhere a chance at a brighter future.
