Bill Gates’ net worth drops $51 billion in one week; here’s why the Microsoft co-founder is happy to give it away |
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index updated its ledger on July 13 and wiped $51 billion off Bill Gates’ fortune in a single stroke. One week earlier, he sat on an estimated $175 billion; the revision puts him near $124 billion, nudging him down to twelfth place globally. The plunge isn’t the result of bad bets or a Microsoft sell-off gone wrong. Instead, it reflects Gates’ plan to empty his pockets long before the undertaker knocks. In a May blog post, he vowed that no obituary would say he “died rich,” and he gave his foundation a deadline of 31 December 2045 to distribute almost everything he owns.Bloomberg simply caught up with how aggressively those transfers have already begun. So while headlines shout “loss,” Gates sees progress toward a promise that reshapes both the billionaire rankings and the future cash flow of the world’s largest private charity.
Bill Gates’ net worth drops $51 billion
Between 3 July and 10 July, Gates’ listed wealth slid from $175 billion to $124 billion, a 29 percent haircut. Most of the shift comes from updated accounting of shares he has already earmarked—or outright transferred—to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and related philanthropic vehicles. Because he still holds about 3.5 percent of Microsoft through personal and family trusts, day-to-day market moves matter, but the big swing this month is bookkeeping catching up with his give-away schedule.
(Rounded figures; source – Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
Bill Gates’ pledge to give away 99 % of his wealth by 2045
In a May 8 essay, Gates wrote, “There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold on to resources that could be used to help people.” He set a 20-year window to donate at least 99 percent of his remaining assets and to wind down the foundation by 2045. The commitment formalises what observers have called “the long goodbye” to his billionaire status—only now the timeline is public and the pace is accelerating.
Philanthropy in action: where the money is going
- Global health: The foundation funds vaccine programs for preventable killers like polio and rotavirus, efforts Gates says have already saved “tens of millions of lives.”
- Agricultural resilience: Grants flow to drought-resistant seed research for sub-Saharan Africa.
- Climate adaptation: Recent pledges back low-cost solar and methane-reduction projects.
Since 2000, the organisation has granted more than $100 billion and still holds an endowment of $77 billion, even after the latest transfers.
Market moves, donations and the billionaire rankings
Gates’ slide pushed him below former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, now worth about $173 billion and sitting in fifth place. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Tesla’s Elon Musk still dominate the top slots. Analysts note the rankings may yo-yo as Gates continues to vest shares or as Microsoft’s price wiggles, but the directional trend is clear: philanthropy is winning the tug-of-war with personal net worth.
Why Gates says he won’t die rich
The 69-year-old argues that capital stuck in a brokerage account is “opportunity cost incarnate.” He points to stalled humanitarian progress—especially cuts in Western foreign-aid budgets—and insists private capital must fill the gap. Critics worry about outsized influence from one donor, yet even they acknowledge his cash is now the lifeblood of several global-health campaigns once bankrolled by governments.
Potential ripple effects for tech and philanthropy
- Signal to other moguls: When one of the most famous billionaires accelerates giving, peer pressure follows. Watch for fresh commitments from the likes of Larry Page or Michael Dell.
- Foundation sunset clause: By setting a close date, Gates challenges the idea of philanthropic capital sitting in perpetuity; that could push regulators to rethink payout rules.
- Microsoft shares supply: As more stock transfers to charity, the Gates Foundation will likely sell portions to fund grants, adding liquidity—but not enough volume to unnerve markets, analysts say.
Related FAQs
1. How much is Bill Gates worth after the $51 billion drop?
- Bloomberg now pegs him at about $124 billion, ranking twelfth in the world.
2. Did Microsoft’s stock crash cause the decline?
- No. The sharp adjustment reflects wealth Gates has already shifted toward his foundation, not market volatility.
3. What is his timeline for giving away 99 % of his fortune?
- He plans to complete the donations and close the Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045.
4. How much has the Gates Foundation donated so far?
- Since 2000, the foundation has granted more than $100 billion to health, education and climate projects.
5. Could Gates fall out of the billionaire ranks entirely?
- Yes—if he sticks to the 99 % pledge, most of his current wealth will move to charities over the next two decades, potentially leaving him with “just” hundreds of millions.
