- Bill Gates revealed the amount of money his kids will inherit after his death on a recent podcast episode
- The Microsoft co-founder is currently the thirteenth richest person on the planet
- Bill shares three kids — daughters Jennifer and Phoebe, plus son Rory — with ex-wife Melinda French Gates
Bill Gates has revealed the amount of money his kids will inherit after his death.
While appearing on an episode of the Figuring Out with Raj Shamani podcast, the Microsoft co-founder, 69, explained that he will leave a very small percent of his fortune to his three children, but it will still amount to a huge financial sum.
“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education, but [they will get] less than 1 percent of the total wealth, because I decided it wouldn’t be a favor to them,” Bill — who shares daughters Jennifer, 28, and Phoebe, 22, plus son Rory, 25, with ex-wife Melinda French Gates — said.
Bill is currently worth $102.2 billion, according to Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaire List, which means his kids’ inheritance would equate to over $1 billion each.
The father of three is the thirteenth richest person on the planet, behind Elon Musk, who leads the list, and others, including Mark Zuckerberg in the No. 2 spot and Jeff Bezos following in third.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to Bill, he isn’t interested in any of his kids following in the family business. “It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft,” he explained on the podcast.
“I wanna give them a chance to have their own earnings and success, be significant and not overshadowed by the incredible luck and good fortune I had,” continued the businessman.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
When asked specifically if Jennifer, Rory or Phoebe had ever shared their disappointment that the majority of their father’s massive fortune would not be theirs, Bill said, “You don’t want your kids to ever be confused about your support for them and your love for them.”
“So I do think, explaining early on your philosophy that you’re gonna 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, [was important].”
Bill, who has long pledged to give the majority of his wealth to address social problems, told CNN in 2024 that he’s currently giving away money at a rate of $9 billion a year.
He also told the outlet that he believes he will meet his goal of no longer being one of the wealthiest men in the world in about 20 years.
“I have more than enough money for my own consumption,” Bill said at the time. “I’m getting myself to go down the list, and I’ll be proud when I fall off altogether.”
Years earlier, the philanthropist said he planned to give “virtually all” of his wealth to The Gates Foundation, which he and his ex founded in 2000.
“I have an obligation to return my resources to society in ways that have the greatest impact for reducing suffering and improving lives,” Bill wrote on X.
Read the full article here
