Billionaire Bill Gates has made it clear that his children will receive less than one percent of his fortune.
No Money Drop
The Microsoft co-founder, who is the seventh richest man in the world, believes that a massive inheritance would do more harm than good, a perspective that aligns with a growing trend among tech billionaires. Instead of passing down wealth, he is focusing on philanthropy and encouraging his children to build their own success.
With his net worth estimated between $107 billion and $162 billion, even one percent represents a substantial sum. If divided equally, each child would still receive hundreds of millions of dollars, placing them among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Despite this, Gates maintains that limiting their inheritance is in their best interest.
During an appearance last week on the “Figuring Out With Raj Shamani” podcast, he explained his reasoning.
“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education but less than one percent of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favor to them,” he said.
Gates emphasized that he wants his children to forge their own paths rather than rely on the fortune he built.
“It’s not a dynasty, I’m not asking them to run Microsoft,” he continued, “I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success.”
Gates has held this belief for years. In a 2011 interview with the Daily Mail, he stated that he planned to leave each child around $10 million.
While significant by ordinary standards, it is a small fraction of his overall wealth. He reiterated this position in a 2013 Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session, where a user pointed out how his approach influenced other wealthy individuals.
The person said, “Many wealthy people I know point to Bill Gates as their idol. Not for his Microsoft days but for his philanthropy. He also simultaneously killed many of my friends’ hundred-million-dollar trust funds after their parents discovered that Bill was only leaving $10 million for his children.”
Gates responded by reaffirming his stance.
“I definitely think leaving kids massive amounts of money is not a favor to them,” the tech giant said, “Warren Buffett was part of an article in Fortune talking about this in 1986 before I met him and it made me think about it and decide he was right. Some people disagree with this, but Melinda and I feel good about it.”
Gates’ decision reflects a broader trend among billionaires who prioritize philanthropy over inheritance. Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffett have also expressed concerns about passing down extreme wealth. Buffett, a close friend of Gates, has pledged to donate nearly all of his fortune and has spoken extensively about the drawbacks of large inheritances.
The Gates family has put these values into action through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health, education, and poverty reduction. Gates hopes his children will take pride in these contributions rather than expect a massive inheritance.
During his conversation with Shamani, he said, “You don’t want your kids to ever be confused about your support for them and your love for them.”
Adding, “So I do think explaining early on your philosophy: that you’re going to treat them all equally and that you’re gonna give them incredible opportunities, but that the highest calling for these resources is to go back to the neediest through the foundation.”
Gates has also observed that younger generations are shifting away from traditional wealth transfer expectations.
“I think the younger generation sometimes actually is pushing against this idea of the wealth just being passed down,” he noted.
Despite speculation that his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates might alter their children’s inheritance plans, there have been no reported changes. Although they did not have a prenuptial agreement, both have remained committed to their philanthropic mission.
While Gates’ children will not inherit tens of billions, they will still have access to extensive resources and opportunities. His decision is not about depriving them but about encouraging independence and responsibility. Instead of focusing on inherited wealth, he wants them to build their own careers and achievements.
Gates, who built a tech empire after dropping out of Harvard, understands what it means to create something from the ground up. He believes his wealth should be used to address global challenges rather than sustain generational privilege.
His estate plan is a reflection of that belief.
h9uuje