Multi-billionaire Bill Gates announces plans to donate nearly all his wealth within the subsequent two decades.

Bill Gates, the tech titan, reveals plans to donate 99% of his fortune to charitable causes within the next 20 years

Get ready to see a new side of Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, as he unveils his intention to funnel 99% of his colossal fortune into philanthropy over the next two decades. With a calculated washed-up attitude, Gates boldly proclaimed, "When I kick the bucket, they'll say this and this about me, but I'm damned sure as hell they won't say 'he died rich.'"

Echoing the sentiments of Andrew Carnegie, a fellow magnate and philanthropist, Gates isn't shy about his ambition to burnish his legacy while upending the traditional notion of inherited wealth. At present, Gates' net worth still stands tall at an astonishing $108 billion, making him a billionaire even after giving away nearly all his cash.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a generous force in sectors like healthcare and community development, has been striving for the betterment of humanity for quite some time. However, Gates recently made the decision to accelerate the philanthropic spending, with the foundation aiming to deplete its resources and close its doors by 2045. According to Gates, the foundation plans to disburse approximately $200 billion over the next 20 years, depending on market conditions and inflation.

Fast-forward 25 years, and the foundation has already provided over $100 billion for healthcare improvements and development initiatives worldwide. The foundation's mission over the coming years will primarily target:

Preventing preventable deaths: concentrating on diseases that continue to claim lives of mothers and children.
Eradicating infectious diseases: like malaria, measles, and others.
Eliminating global poverty: by lifting hundreds of millions out of destitution.

During Gates' interview with the BBC, he emphasized the urgency behind this decision, stating that future wealthy individuals would be better equipped to address global challenges. "We can afford to spend more since we won't be living forever, and I know our investments will resonate with my values," Gates asserted.

Dating all the way back to 1975, Microsoft was established by Gates and Paul Allen. This year marks the company's 50th anniversary as a heavyweight within the computer and information technology scene. Gates relinquished his role as CEO in 2000, stepping down as chairman in 2014, and ultimately leaving the board of directors in 2020.

In a CC with the BBC, Gates revisited past accusations slung towards Elon Musk – the current wealthiest individual in the world – of allegedly undermining children's lives via budget cuts to international aid during the Trump administration. Gates didn't mince words, expressing his disbelief in Musk's actions, saying, "These cuts aren't just harming children, they're killing millions of children. I thought differently of the richest guy in the world."

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also a generous sponsor of BBC Media Action, a dedicated charitable arm of the BBC that operates independently from news divisions.

In contrast to his significant wealth, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, desires not to be remembered as a rich individual, instead pursuing to channel 99% of his fortune towards charitable causes within the next 20 years. With an estimated net worth of $108 billion, these donations will continue to be managed through his finance-focused business, wealth-management.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic powerhouse, aims to disburse an approximate $200 billion over the next 20 years, with a primary focus on preventing preventable deaths, eradicating infectious diseases, and eliminating global poverty. This decision follows the anniversary of Microsoft, established in 1975, and reflects Gates' personal commitment to making a positive impact on humanity, even as he steps down from his roles within the company.

Despite ongoing challenges and criticism, such as accusations of budget cuts to international aid impacting children's lives, Gates remains undeterred in his philanthropic endeavors, believing future wealthy individuals will better address global challenges. The foundation's efforts have already claimed lives saved and improvements made in various sectors, solidifying Gates' legacy as a billionaire who sought to make a difference beyond his own.

Tragically, in the years to come, we cannot help but anticipate the vast number of lives benefiting from Bill Gates' philanthropic efforts, even as we contemplate the notion that the man himself will one day be among those lost to the inescapable truth of deaths, a subject that reminds us of our own finitude and the importance of leaving a lasting impact upon the world.

Multi-billionaire Bill Gates announces plans to donate nearly all his wealth within the subsequent two decades.