Bill Gates reveals inheritance plans for his children

DDM News

Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, has opened up about the inheritance his children will receive upon his passing.

In a recent interview on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Gates shared that each of his three children would inherit less than one percent of his immense fortune.

This revelation comes as the 69-year-old philanthropist, whose net worth exceeds $100 billion, continues to be one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet.

Gates, currently ranked as the 13th richest person globally with a fortune of $102.2 billion, according to Forbes’ 2025 Billionaire List, explained that his decision to limit his children’s inheritance is a conscious one.

“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education but [will get] less than 1% of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favour to them,” he remarked.

“It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft.”

His children, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, are aged 28, 25, and 22, respectively.

Gates emphasized that he wanted them to carve their own paths in life, free from the pressures of inheriting an enormous fortune.

This approach reflects his belief in giving his children the opportunity to succeed based on their individual merits and efforts, rather than relying on family wealth.

The billionaire’s decision follows a broader trend among ultra-wealthy individuals, including Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg, who have pledged to leave the bulk of their fortunes to charity rather than their families.

Gates himself has been a prominent philanthropist for decades, particularly through the Gates Foundation, which he co-founded with his ex-wife, Melinda, in 2000.

The foundation is the largest charitable organization in the world, focusing on global health, poverty alleviation, and education

After their divorce in 2021, the foundation was renamed the Gates Foundation.

Beyond his philanthropic efforts, Gates has been an outspoken figure in various global matters.

He was notably active during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing over $250 million to pandemic-related initiatives.

Despite not having a medical degree, Gates became a prominent voice in the push for vaccines and public health measures, using his platform to advocate for scientific solutions to the crisis.

Gates has also been critical of political figures, including former President Donald Trump.

In particular, Gates opposed Trump’s plans to cut funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides aid to countries in need.

While Bill Gates has amassed vast wealth, his emphasis remains on creating positive global change through his charitable endeavors rather than preserving a family dynasty.

His children’s inheritance, according to him, will not define their futures; instead, he encourages them to live lives shaped by their own choices and values.

This approach, focusing on education, hard work, and philanthropy over generational wealth, aligns with Gates’ long-standing philosophy that true success comes from making a difference in the world, not from simply passing on fortune to the next generation.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook