Bill Gates, worth over $100 billion, has revealed plans to leave less than 1% of his fortune to his three children, amounting to millions per child. According to Gates, he believes that it would not be doing them any favors to receive a larger portion. He wants his children, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, to define their own success without being overshadowed by his fortune and achievements.
Gates amassed his wealth primarily through Microsoft, the software giant he co-founded in 1975, which rose to become the world's largest software maker, fueling personal computing. No longer involved in Microsoft since 2000, Gates now diversifies his portfolio through Cascade Investment, his private holding company managing stakes in numerous businesses.
His reasoning for leaving such a small fraction of his wealth to his kids is simple, as he explained in a 2025 interview: "My kids got a great upbringing, education, but less than 1% of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn't be a favor to them. I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success."
Gates' perspective on his legacy was absent of his business ventures. Instead, he hoped to be remembered for his efforts in combatting diseases and malnutrition, much of which is a focus of the Gates Foundation. This foundation holds $75.2 billion in its endowment dedicated to global health, education, and poverty reduction initiatives. "The highest calling for these resources is to go back to the neediest through the foundation," he said.
Emphasizing his philanthropic mission, Gates wants his fortune to have a global impact, aligning with his foundation's focus areas. His friend, Warren Buffett, a significant funder of the Gates Foundation, aligns with Gates' belief, having donated over $39 billion to the foundation since 2006.