WORLD'S SIXTH WEALTHIEST
Bill Gates
Co-Founder, Microsoft; Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 and led it to become the world's most valuable software company. He stepped back from Microsoft leadership in 2008 to focus on the Gates Foundation, which works on global health, poverty, and U.S. education. His wealth is now primarily managed through Cascade Investment LLC.
Wealth in Context
Figures calculated from current net worth estimate
Bill Gates's net worth equals 22 years of the WHO's entire budget
Source: World Health Organization, Programme Budget 2024–2025
Bill Gates's net worth could cover one year's school costs for every man, woman, and child in Georgia
Bill Gates's net worth could build 3,060 new public schools
Source: National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, 2023
Holdings Breakdown
| Company | Ticker | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Corporation Cascade Investment LLC 13-F, Q3 2024 | MSFT | 13.3M | $373.48 | $5B |
Private Holdings & Other Assets Forbes 2025 Billionaires List | estimated | $148B | ||
About holdings: The vast majority of Gates's wealth is managed through Cascade Investment LLC, a diversified holding company with large positions in Canadian National Railway (~10%), AutoNation, Republic Services, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Signature Aviation, and approximately 270,000 acres of U.S. farmland — the largest private farmland portfolio in America.
Net Worth Over Time
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Historical values reflect current known holdings applied to historical market prices. Actual net worth may have differed due to share transactions over time.
Philanthropic Impact
Based on public foundation records, press releases, and giving pledges
Total known giving
$46 billion
documented public giving only
Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Giving Pledge co-founder — committed to give the majority of his wealth to philanthropy. majority of fortune pledged; more than $60 billion donated since 2000
How this is calculated
Bill Gates's public stock holdings are sourced from SEC Form 4 filings and annual proxy statements. Net worth is calculated as (shares held × current market price) + private wealth estimate. The private wealth estimate is sourced from Forbes 2025 Billionaires List and is updated periodically — it does not change with market movements. Full methodology →