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Bill Gates Announced a Nearly Total Donation Plan of His Fortune, with a Deadline to Close the Foundation He Leads, Amid Global Cuts in International Aid and Debates About the Role of Private Philanthropy in Health and in Combating Poverty.
Bill Gates announced on May 8, 2025, that he intends to donate nearly all of his personal fortune to philanthropy.
The proposal aims to donate 99% of the wealth over two decades, through the Gates Foundation, with a definitive closure of the entity’s activities on December 31, 2045.
The plan was unveiled during the celebration of the 25 years of the foundation, in a context of reduced resources allocated to international aid, especially from the United States.
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According to Gates himself, the expectation is that the foundation will invest more than US$ 200 billion between 2025 and 2045, considering the existing resources and future contributions from the businessman.
He emphasized that the final amount will depend on factors such as the performance of financial markets and inflation over the period.
The strategy represents a shift from the traditional model of permanent foundations, establishing a timeline to intensify spending and close operations.
Estimates about Gates’ wealth vary according to financial rankings and market fluctuations.
At the time of the announcement, international outlets reported a fortune between US$ 107 billion and US$ 108 billion.
The conversions to reais mentioned in reports are approximate and vary according to currency quotes.
Accelerated Donation and Closing of the Gates Foundation
The presented plan foresees that the Gates Foundation will maintain a high pace of annual investments to meet the goal of applying most resources before 2045.
In January 2026, the organization itself reported that it was working with an annual budget of around US$ 9 billion, aligned with the strategy to increase the impact of actions in the remaining operational period.
While commenting on the model, Gates highlighted that private initiatives do not replace public policies.
According to him, areas such as vaccination, epidemic prevention, and response to humanitarian crises continue to rely on government funding and state decisions.
The acceleration of donations was presented as a response to the urgency of issues considered immediate.
During the announcement, the businessman reiterated goals related to global health.
Regarding infectious diseases, he stated that he hopes to see progress to the point where terms like “malaria” become historical references, an argument used to advocate for the continuation of investments in prevention and treatment programs.
Cut in International Aid and Impacts on Global Health
The decision to accelerate donations was associated by Gates with the scenario of reduction in external aid from wealthy countries.
He warned that cuts in international programs could compromise results achieved over decades, especially in indicators related to child health and the control of preventable diseases.
In interviews given during that period, Gates stated that interruptions in funding tend to affect supply chains for medications, vaccination campaigns, and prevention efforts.
Global health experts often point out that programs of this nature depend on continuity to maintain results, especially in low-income countries.
The businessman also emphasized that, even with large private donations, philanthropy cannot entirely compensate for the absence of public resources.
According to him, cooperation between governments, international organizations, and private entities remains central to sustaining long-term programs.
Political Statements and International Repercussions
In the same context, Gates commented on recent decisions related to the United States’ budget policy.
In an interview with the Financial Times, he made a direct criticism by associating cuts in international aid with decisions advocated by Elon Musk, stating that “the resulting image of these measures would be negative from a humanitarian perspective”.
At the same time, Gates pointed out that structural changes in the U.S. federal budget depend on Congress and institutional processes.
The statement reignited discussions about the role of billionaire entrepreneurs in public debate and in policy formulation, a frequent topic in analyses by governance and democracy experts.
Global Reach of the Gates Foundation and Recurring Criticisms
Since its establishment in 2000, the Gates Foundation has become one of the largest private funders of initiatives in global health and development.
Institutional information indicates that the entity has already allocated more than US$ 100 billion to projects in different regions of the world, through direct donations and partnerships.
Among the supported initiatives are programs linked to the Gavi Global Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, as well as actions aimed at scientific research and expanding access to vaccines.
These contributions have helped to increase the foundation’s presence in international forums.
The volume of resources and the influence associated with these partnerships also generate criticism.
Researchers and civil society organizations question the concentration of decision-making power in large private foundations and point out the absence of formal accountability mechanisms similar to those required from governments in multilateral contexts.
These criticisms often arise in debates about transparency and global health governance.
In texts published on its official channels, Gates acknowledged the existence of these questions.
To justify the decision to accelerate donations, he stated that he does not wish to be remembered for maintaining wealth until the end of his life and that he believes there are urgent demands that justify the immediate use of resources.
From Microsoft to Full-Time Philanthropy
Before becoming one of the prominent names in global philanthropy, Gates built his fortune in the technology sector.
He left university to co-found Microsoft with Paul Allen and led the company during the expansion of personal computing, a period in which he accumulated wealth and international prominence.
Since 2008, Gates gradually reduced his executive role in the company to dedicate himself to the foundation.
The organization has undergone institutional changes over the years, including the departure of Melinda French Gates from co-leadership in 2024 and the formal adoption of the name Gates Foundation in January 2025.
With the announced commitment, the foundation now operates with a defined timeline to increase disbursements and plan the closure of operations.
This move occurs in an international scenario marked by political and budgetary uncertainties, which, according to analysts, reinforces the debate about the balance between public and private financing in tackling poverty and global health issues.
I sure would like a gift from Bill Gates!! I will be truly grateful!!
This will be good for the country he’s planning to give. This won’t be for Americans. God forbid if any poor American would get a break, especially if you are considered white. This is just to make him look good, nothing more.