How does Bill Gates want to spend his fortune by 2045?

One of the richest men in the world is planning a “mega donation” of $200 billion. What is the Microsoft co-founder’s early retirement plan?

12/16/2025 – 9:15 a.m

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the most influential figures in technology and global philanthropy, recently confirmed a dramatic shakeup in the management of his vast capital. In a move that redefines the scope of modern philanthropy, Gates founded a 20-year period to donate virtually all of your assets through the Gates Foundation, culminating in the final dissolution of the company by 2045.

Not only does this strategy greatly speed up the pace of your generosity, but it also involves a unprecedented infusion of resources into key areas of global development, This makes it a key issue for companies and international business analysts.

Financial commitment

Gates’ decision is based on the philosophy of “giving my money back to society much faster” than originally planned.

In its first 25 years of existence, the Gates Foundation paid out more than $100 billion, funded in part by contributions from investor Warren Buffett.

The new commitment goes one better, promising This number will double in the next 20 years:

• Spending target: The foundation expects to pay out more than $200,000 million by December 2045.
• Funding Source: This monumental figure includes both the current foundation balance and future personal contributions by Bill Gates, whose returns will be subject to market volatility and global inflation.
• Final Completion: The deadline for this intensive effort is December 31, 2045as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be permanently closed its doors.

The principle of “dying without wealth”

The acceleration of this plan has clear ideological roots. Gates cites magnate Andrew Carnegie and his 1889 essay “The Gospel of Wealth,” in which he argues that “the man who dies rich dies in disgrace.”

For Gates, this idea is a personal decision: prevent it from being said that “he died rich”given the urgency to solve the planet’s most critical problems. This principle sets a precedent for how large fortunes should handle their financial legacy and social impact.

As described by himself Gates on his personal blogThe foundation’s mission firmly believes that place of birth should not determine one’s life chances. The $200 billion plan will focus on this three big wishes.

1. The first is Prevent as many maternal and child deaths as possible. Gates believes that humanity now has the technology and knowledge to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths in this group by half, which stood at 5 million per year in 2019. The foundation is optimistic Eradication of malaria and measles before its closure, joining the Polio and Guinea worm. Funding will also be provided to combat HIV/AIDS (with a focus on single-dose gene therapies) and tuberculosis, which remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
2. Although the Gates Foundation is the center of his philanthropy, The businessman made it clear that he is devoting resources to this Energy innovation. Through Breakthrough Energy, it invests in companies seeking to reduce emissions and expand access to affordable energy, and through Terra Energy, it develops nuclear energy. “Expanding access to affordable energy is critical to building a future in which all people can survive and thrive,” he said.
3. The third goal is this Alzheimer’s research: Support research and development to combat this growing global crisis.

Bill Gates’ strategy sets new standards for large-scale philanthropy by combining an entrepreneurial approach to impact investing with a radically accelerated delivery plan, aiming to maximize social impact while achieving global development goals.