Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, has reiterated his decision to leave each of his three children less than 1% of his estimated $101.2 billion fortune.
Speaking on the “Figuring Out With Raj Shamani” podcast, Gates explained that while his children—Jennifer (28), Rory (25), and Phoebe (22)—have received excellent educations and upbringings, he believes that inheriting vast wealth would not be beneficial for them.
Despite being one of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates says his children won’t be inheriting the billions he’s amassed through Microsoft and decades of investing. Instead, he’s made a conscious decision to leave each of them just a sliver—less than 1%—of his estimated $100 billion fortune.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Gates explained that the choice wasn’t about withholding generosity but rather about giving his children the freedom to build their own lives without the weight of extreme wealth. “My kids got a great upbringing and education,” he said. “But I decided it wouldn’t be a favour to them to hand over that kind of money.”
Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, have been long-time advocates of philanthropy. They funnel the vast majority of their wealth into their foundation, which focuses on global health, poverty, and education. For Gates, the idea of generational wealth simply doesn’t hold the same appeal as watching his children carve their own paths.
He says all three—Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe—understand and support the decision. “You don’t want your kids to ever be confused about your love or support,” he said, adding that his children know they’ll always have his backing, just not billion-dollar trust funds.
That doesn’t mean they’re on their own. Gates has made sure they’ve had access to the best education and opportunities money can buy—but now, he wants them to figure out the rest for themselves.
He said:
“It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft. I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success. You know, be significant and not overshadowed by the incredible luck and good fortune I had.”
In an age of celebrity kids launching brands and racking up millions thanks to family name alone, Gates’ approach feels refreshingly grounded. It’s a perspective that challenges the traditional notion of inheritance, especially in the tech world, where billionaires are increasingly choosing to give their fortunes away rather than pass them down.
While some may question the logic, Gates remains clear on his stance: true success isn’t about money—it’s about meaning.
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