Bill Gates to Leave Less Than 1% of $101 Billion Fortune to Children

Bill Gates has revealed that he will leave less than 1% of his estimated $101.2 billion fortune to his three children, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, emphasizing that this decision is to encourage their independence and success. In a recent podcast, Gates stated, 'It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft,' reinforcing his belief that a substantial inheritance would not benefit them. He explained that he aims to instill in them the values of hard work and philanthropy, as evidenced by his longstanding commitment to charitable work through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates also mentioned that his children are proud of the foundation's success and have not expressed disappointment over their inheritance. Despite the small percentage, it still amounts to a significant sum, potentially over $1 billion total. Gates' perspective aligns with a broader trend among wealthy tech entrepreneurs who prioritize giving their fortunes away to charitable causes rather than passing them down to heirs.