Jeffrey Wade
Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, has pledged to give away most of his wealth to his philanthropic foundation. Gates has committed to giving away his fortune of $168 billion, with the Gates Foundation set to close its doors on December 31, 2045. The foundation has contributed more than $100 billion to global causes, particularly focusing on eradicating diseases and poverty. Gates' financial investments are held by Cascade Investments, and he also has substantial real estate holdings and an extensive collection of collectibles. Gates' decision to give away his wealth is influenced by his belief that money has no utility beyond a certain point and that it should be used to help those in need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Net worth | $159 billion as of August 20, 2024; $168 billion as of May 2025 |
| Source of wealth | CEO, chair, and chief software architect of Microsoft |
| Current ownership in Microsoft | 1.3% of the company as of 2024; more than 1% of shares as of August 2024 |
| Value of Microsoft shares | Over $40 billion as of August 2024 |
| Investment portfolio | Cascade Investment LLC, worth about $128 billion as of July 16, 2024 |
| Real estate holdings | Sprawling estate in Seattle known as Xanadu 2.0, worth approximately $131.24 million; Equestrian estate in Wellington, Florida for $8.7 million; Parcel in Wellington Street; $21 million on Wellington Horse Farm |
| Collectibles | Extensive collection |
| Philanthropy | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world's largest philanthropic organizations, with over $59 billion donated to date, including a $20 billion gift in 2022; Plans to close the foundation and give away nearly all his fortune by 2045, estimated at $200 billion |
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Real estate holdings
Bill Gates has a vast real estate portfolio, with properties across the United States. He is the country's 42nd biggest landowner, with 275,000 acres of land across several states. The majority of this land, approximately 242,000 acres, is farmland, with the most acreage in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Arizona.
Gates has spent more than $150 million on his real estate portfolio over three decades. His primary residence, known as Xanadu 2.0, is in Medina, Washington, about 10 miles from Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond. The estate spans nearly 11 acres and features a 66,000-square-foot main house with top-of-the-line technology and amenities. The property was assessed at $183.5 million and has an impressive tax rate of just 0.793%.
In addition to his primary residence, Gates owns several other notable properties. He has a beach house in Del Mar, California, purchased for $43 million, and a lodge at the Yellowstone Club in Montana valued at $29.4 million. In Florida, Gates has invested in equestrian estates, with a focus on horse breeding and training. His Montana ranch reflects his passion for nature and conservation. Gates also owns properties in California, known for their beautiful views and elegant architecture.
Gates's real estate holdings also include properties on or near golf courses. In 1999, he purchased a $12.5 million home on the grounds of the exclusive Vintage Club, known for its Tom Fazio-designed golf courses. The six-bedroom home is now valued at around $15 million. Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda, also owned a San Diego property on the grounds of the Del Mar Country Club.
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Collectibles
Bill Gates has accumulated a vast collection of collectibles, including rare cars and precious, irreplaceable artifacts. His collection of rare cars includes a Porsche 959, a Jaguar XJ6, a Ferrari 348, and a Porsche 911 Turbo, which he sold at auction for $80,000. While these cars are certainly valuable, it is his collection of irreplaceable artifacts that truly stands out.
In 1994, Gates purchased a celebrated Leonardo Da Vinci manuscript at auction for $30.8 million. Known as the Codex Leicester, this manuscript documents many of Da Vinci's scientific discoveries and observations. Gates has also expressed a strong interest in art and has been known to invest in art collections. While the full extent of his art collection is not publicly known, it is believed to include a diverse range of pieces.
Gates's passion for collecting extends beyond cars and art. He is also reported to have an interest in rare books and manuscripts, with his collection likely including valuable first editions and ancient texts. Additionally, Gates may also invest in other types of collectibles, such as rare coins, stamps, or memorabilia. These types of collectibles often appreciate in value over time and can provide a good return on investment.
The value of Gates's collectibles is significant, and he takes steps to ensure their protection and preservation. While the exact insurance policies in place are not publicly known, it is likely that he has comprehensive insurance coverage for his collection. This would include specialized insurance policies for high-value items, such as the Da Vinci manuscript, which may be insured for an amount close to or even exceeding its purchase price.
By insuring his collectibles, Gates not only protects their financial value but also ensures their preservation for future generations. This demonstrates his commitment to not only acquiring valuable items but also to preserving cultural and historical artifacts. While the specifics of his insurance policies may remain private, the scope and diversity of his collection showcase his appreciation for the arts and his dedication to preserving valuable pieces of history.
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Philanthropy
Bill Gates has pledged to give away “virtually all” of his wealth, estimated to be around $108 billion, within the next 20 years. He plans to donate a total of $200 billion to his philanthropic Gates Foundation, which he set up with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates in 2000. The foundation will close on 31 December 2045, years earlier than initially planned.
The Gates Foundation has already given away more than $100 billion, helping to save millions of lives and backing initiatives such as the vaccine group Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Gates has said that his donation will help achieve several of his goals, including eradicating diseases like polio and malaria, ending preventable deaths among women and children, and reducing global poverty. The foundation's annual budget will reach $9 billion by 2026 and around $10 billion annually after that.
Despite his increased charitable giving, Gates has warned that neither his foundation nor other philanthropies can fill the gaps left by governments and their foreign aid budgets. He has criticised Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, for overseeing cuts to USAID, which spent $44 billion worldwide in fiscal 2023. Gates has also said that progress would not be possible without government support, as philanthropic capital is scarce and cannot fill the gap left by public sector and private sector investment.
The Gates Foundation has been criticised for its outsized power and influence in global health policy without the requisite accountability. It has also been accused of spending money on what Gates personally believes is important, rather than what is necessarily in the public interest, and of distributing money to activist groups that force the domestic political debate to the far left.
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Cascade Investments
Cascade Investment LLC, also known as Cascade Asset Management Company, is a family office that manages Bill Gates' financial investments. As of July 16, 2024, Cascade Investment's portfolio was valued at approximately $128 billion.
Cascade Investment Group, which began in 1996, offers personalised investment advice and solutions to its clients. The company is managed by individuals who are actively involved in the day-to-day management of client assets. Cascade Investment provides custom investment advice and solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each client. The company does not have required model portfolios or investment platforms, and decisions are made by managers who have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, stepped down from the company's board in 2020 but still owns more than 1% of its shares, valued at over $40 billion as of August 2024. Gates has chosen to insure his money through Cascade Investments and by investing in real assets, such as real estate and collectibles. He has amassed substantial property holdings, including a sprawling estate in Wellington, Florida, known as the equestrian capital of the world, and a private island. His Seattle-area home, Xanadu 2.0, is valued at approximately $131.24 million and features top-of-the-line technology and amenities.
In addition to his personal investments, Bill Gates is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated more than $59 billion to the Gates Foundation, now known as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world's largest philanthropic organisations. Gates has pledged to give away most of his wealth and plans to close the foundation by 2045, with the goal of dropping off the list of the world's richest people. The foundation has contributed over $100 billion to global causes, focusing on eradicating diseases and poverty, and Gates intends to increase its annual budget to further advance these causes.
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Microsoft shares
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has made a lot of money from his involvement with the company. As of August 2024, he owned about 1.3% of the company, with more than 1% of Microsoft's shares worth more than $40 billion.
Gates has donated a lot of his Microsoft shares to philanthropic causes. To date, Gates has donated more than $59 billion to the Gates Foundation, including a $20 billion gift announced in 2022. Most of his early donations were gifts of Microsoft stock. Gates has also donated billions of dollars each year to other worthy causes.
Gates stepped down from the Microsoft board in 2020 and waived his wages and stock compensation when he ended his board service. However, he still owns a significant number of shares in the company. As of May 2025, the current price of a Microsoft share is 450.18 USD.
The majority of Gates' financial assets are held by Cascade Investment LLC, an entity he controls to manage his investments. As of July 16, 2024, Cascade Investment's portfolio was worth about $128 billion.
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Frequently asked questions
Bill Gates keeps his money in a family office known as Cascade Investments.
As of July 16, 2024, Cascade Investment's portfolio was worth about $128 billion.
Yes, Bill Gates has substantial real estate holdings and an extensive collection of collectibles.
