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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bill Gates' net worth drops $51 billion in one week; here's why the Microsoft co-founder is happy to give it away
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index updated its ledger on July 13 and wiped $51 billion off Bill Gates' fortune in a single stroke. One week earlier, he sat on an estimated $175 billion; the revision puts him near $124 billion, nudging him down to twelfth place globally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The plunge isn't the result of bad bets or a Microsoft sell-off gone wrong. Instead, it reflects Gates' plan to empty his pockets long before the undertaker knocks. In a May blog post, he vowed that no obituary would say he 'died rich,' and he gave his foundation a deadline of 31 December 2045 to distribute almost everything he owns. Bloomberg simply caught up with how aggressively those transfers have already begun. So while headlines shout 'loss,' Gates sees progress toward a promise that reshapes both the billionaire rankings and the future cash flow of the world's largest private charity. Bill Gates' net worth drops $51 billion Between 3 July and 10 July, Gates' listed wealth slid from $175 billion to $124 billion, a 29 percent haircut. Most of the shift comes from updated accounting of shares he has already earmarked—or outright transferred—to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and related philanthropic vehicles. Because he still holds about 3.5 percent of Microsoft through personal and family trusts, day-to-day market moves matter, but the big swing this month is bookkeeping catching up with his give-away schedule. Date Bloomberg estimate Change vs. prior year Jan 2022 $128 B — Jul 2023 $155 B 0.21 Jan 2024 $117 B −25 % 3 Jul 2025 $175 B 0.49 10 Jul 2025 $124 B −29 % (Rounded figures; source – Bloomberg Billionaires Index) Bill Gates' pledge to give away 99 % of his wealth by 2045 In a May 8 essay, Gates wrote, 'There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold on to resources that could be used to help people.' He set a 20-year window to donate at least 99 percent of his remaining assets and to wind down the foundation by 2045. The commitment formalises what observers have called 'the long goodbye' to his billionaire status—only now the timeline is public and the pace is accelerating. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Philanthropy in action: where the money is going Global health : The foundation funds vaccine programs for preventable killers like polio and rotavirus, efforts Gates says have already saved 'tens of millions of lives.' : The foundation funds vaccine programs for preventable killers like polio and rotavirus, efforts Gates says have already saved 'tens of millions of lives.' Agricultural resilience : Grants flow to drought-resistant seed research for sub-Saharan Africa. : Grants flow to drought-resistant seed research for sub-Saharan Africa. Climate adaptation: Recent pledges back low-cost solar and methane-reduction projects. Since 2000, the organisation has granted more than $100 billion and still holds an endowment of $77 billion, even after the latest transfers. Market moves, donations and the billionaire rankings Gates' slide pushed him below former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, now worth about $173 billion and sitting in fifth place. Amazon's Jeff Bezos and Tesla's Elon Musk still dominate the top slots. Analysts note the rankings may yo-yo as Gates continues to vest shares or as Microsoft's price wiggles, but the directional trend is clear: philanthropy is winning the tug-of-war with personal net worth. Why Gates says he won't die rich The 69-year-old argues that capital stuck in a brokerage account is 'opportunity cost incarnate.' He points to stalled humanitarian progress—especially cuts in Western foreign-aid budgets—and insists private capital must fill the gap. Critics worry about outsized influence from one donor, yet even they acknowledge his cash is now the lifeblood of several global-health campaigns once bankrolled by governments. Potential ripple effects for tech and philanthropy Signal to other moguls: When one of the most famous billionaires accelerates giving, peer pressure follows. Watch for fresh commitments from the likes of Larry Page or Michael Dell. When one of the most famous billionaires accelerates giving, peer pressure follows. Watch for fresh commitments from the likes of Larry Page or Michael Dell. Foundation sunset clause: By setting a close date, Gates challenges the idea of philanthropic capital sitting in perpetuity; that could push regulators to rethink payout rules. By setting a close date, Gates challenges the idea of philanthropic capital sitting in perpetuity; that could push regulators to rethink payout rules. Microsoft shares supply: As more stock transfers to charity, the Gates Foundation will likely sell portions to fund grants, adding liquidity—but not enough volume to unnerve markets, analysts say. Related FAQs 1. How much is Bill Gates worth after the $51 billion drop? Bloomberg now pegs him at about $124 billion, ranking twelfth in the world. 2. Did Microsoft's stock crash cause the decline? No. The sharp adjustment reflects wealth Gates has already shifted toward his foundation, not market volatility. 3. What is his timeline for giving away 99 % of his fortune? He plans to complete the donations and close the Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045. 4. How much has the Gates Foundation donated so far? Since 2000, the foundation has granted more than $100 billion to health, education and climate projects. 5. Could Gates fall out of the billionaire ranks entirely? Yes—if he sticks to the 99 % pledge, most of his current wealth will move to charities over the next two decades, potentially leaving him with 'just' hundreds of millions.
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Billionaire Bill Gates drops out of world's top 10 richest people ranking
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is no longer among the world's ten richest individuals, marking a rare shift in global wealth rankings. Bill Gates has exited the list of the world's ten richest individuals. His net worth, currently $123 billion, declined due to substantial philanthropic donations. The current Bloomberg Billionaires Index reflects Gates' decline to twelfth place in wealth rankings. Once the world's richest man for over a decade, Gates has gradually slipped down the list amid changing market dynamics, major philanthropic donations, and the meteoric rise of tech and luxury moguls. According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Gates has been overtaken by a wave of ultra-wealthy individuals from sectors such as fashion, luxury goods, and electric vehicles, including names like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bernard Arnault, and Mark Zuckerberg. His net worth, currently estimated at around $123 billion, remains massive but no longer places him in the top tier of global wealth. Gates' wealth slump traced to charity One key reason behind Gates' decline in ranking is his sustained commitment to philanthropy. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he has donated tens of billions of dollars to global health, education, and development causes voluntarily reducing his personal fortune over time. According to an analysis, Gates' fortune was reduced by over $50 billion, almost by 30% this week. This recalculation shrank his net worth from over $175 billion to $123 billion, moving him from fifth to twelfth place on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Steve Ballmer, his former assistant and successor as Microsoft's former CEO, with a net worth of $172 billion, replaced Gates in the fifth spot. While his drop from the top 10 marks the end of an era, Gates remains one of the most influential figures in tech and philanthropy. His focus in recent years has shifted away from corporate leadership to global health, climate innovation, and education reform which are priorities that have increasingly defined his legacy over net worth. Bill Gates has also renewed his focus on Africa by pledging to direct the majority of his $200 billion fortune over the next 20 years toward the continent, targeting health, education, and innovation. According to the most recent Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the table below presents the top 10 richest men in the world as of July 8, 2025. Rank Name Total Net Worth ($) Country/Region Industry 1 Elon Musk $349B United States Technology 2 Mark Zuckerberg $254B United States Technology 3 Larry Ellison $250B United States Technology 4 Jeff Bezos $240B United States Technology 5 Steve Ballmer $171B United States Technology 6 Bernard Arnault $159B France Consumer 7 Larry Page $158B United States Technology 8 Sergey Brin $149B United States Technology 9 Warren Buffett $143B United States Diversified 10 Jensen Huang $140B United States Technology
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
PM pledges to end polio despite challenges
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed on Thursday to intensify efforts to eradicate polio, amid persistent security threats and logistical hurdles that continue to undermine the campaign. Addressing the anti-polio task force, he stressed the urgency of reaching every child with multiple vaccine doses, underscoring the government's commitment to stamping out the crippling disease despite ongoing resistance and attacks on health workers. 'We will not allow polio to cripple our children or our future,' Sharif said, reiterating pledges made by his predecessors amid recurring outbreaks that have dogged the country for years. While acknowledging progress credited to frontline workers, provincial authorities, and international partners, Sharif did not shy away from highlighting the risks faced by vaccination teams – who have been targeted by militants and met with public distrust in some regions. 'The safety of polio workers remains paramount,' he said, calling on law enforcement and all stakeholders to 'redouble their efforts' in a campaign he described as a national priority. Sharif also singled out international support, praising Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his comprehensive backing and lauding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's role in sustaining the costly, complex fight against the virus. A briefing during the meeting revealed new targeted campaigns in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – a known hotspot – tailored to overcome local barriers that have repeatedly stalled eradication efforts. Officials acknowledged the dual challenge of vaccinating children and rooting out environmental reservoirs of the virus that allow it to persist in some districts. Among those attending were senior figures from the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, UNICEF, Saudi Arabia's KS Relief, Rotary International, alongside Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, chief secretaries from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory, alongside the National Coordinator for Polio Eradication. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
News18
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Melinda Opens Up About Divorce From Bill Gates: ‘I Knew It In My Soul That...'
Melinda French Gates shared her emotional journey to end her 27-year marriage to Bill Gates. They divorced in 2021. Melinda French Gates reflected on the emotional reckoning behind her decision to end her 27-year marriage to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, saying the truth she had long buried eventually rose with a force and she 'knew in my soul." In a candid interview, the 60-year-old philanthropist spoke of the moment that pushed her towards divorce- a decision complicated by decades of shared history, three children and one of the world's largest philanthropic foundations. 'When that voice would come and it would come at different times because of things that had happened outside the marriage that I would later come to learn about. I kept pushing it away," Melinda French Gates revealed. She admitted that, for years, she felt pressure to hold the relationship together not only for the sake of their family but for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the nonprofit which the couple co-founded and co-chaired during their marriage. 'We had a foundation and that was big and I believed in that work. I still believe in the work of the foundation," she said, adding, 'At some point I had to turn towards my inner voice and I just knew it and I knew it in my soul." Melinda French Gates said the process of accepting the end of the relationship was long and deliberate, sharing, 'I took marriage and I still do- very, very seriously and it wasn't just two of us involved, it was five of us." Melinda-Bill Gates' Divorce The couple first met in 1987 during a Microsoft sales meeting, when Melinda was a product manager and Bill Gates was the company's CEO. After he reportedly asked her out in a parking lot, the two eventually wed on New Year's Day 1994. In 2021, the pair announced their divorce, saying they could no longer 'grow together as a couple in this next phase of life." The split came a year after their reported separation and public attention soon turned to Bill Gates' ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as well as allegations of infidelity. In 2022, Melinda French Gates said that she had expressed her discomfort about Bill Gates' meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. 'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him," she said at the time, adding, 'He was abhorrent. He was evil personified." Since their split, both have moved on. Melinda French Gates is in a relationship with entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, while Bill Gates is dating Paula Hurd, former tech executive and widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
CM opens AP's 1st Digital Nerve Centre
Kuppam (Chittoor dist): Andhra Pradesh on Thursday took a significant leap in healthcare innovation with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurating the state's first Digital Nerve Centre (DiNC) at the Kuppam Area Hospital. This initiative, a collaborative effort with Tata Trusts and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims at integrating all health services under a single digital platform, beginning in Kuppam and slated for statewide expansion. The DiNC is designed to seamlessly connect hospitals, primary health centres (PHCs), and village clinics, ensuring that a patient's complete medical history is accessible digitally from anywhere, at any time. This integration is expected to facilitate quicker diagnoses, enhance coordination among medical professionals, and streamline follow-up care. From lab results to prescriptions, all vital health information will be digitized, empowering doctors to make more informed and efficient decisions. "This is not just a model for Andhra Pradesh, but for the world," stated the Chief Minister after the inauguration. He emphasised that the project transcends mere digitalisation, focusing instead on leveraging technology to profoundly improve people's lives. Highlighting the state's annual healthcare expenditure of approximately Rs 19,000 crore, the CM underscored the potential of artificial intelligence and advanced data systems to reduce costs while simultaneously delivering superior healthcare services. Currently, the newly launched centre links 13 PHCs and 92 village health centres within the Kuppam region. This connectivity enables real-time health tracking and ensures rapid response during medical emergencies. During the launch, Chief Minister Naidu and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav also engaged with local health workers to assess the system's practical implementation and effectiveness on the ground. Looking ahead, the government plans to roll out the DiNC system across the remaining part of the Chittoor district in its next phase, followed by a full-scale implementation throughout Andhra Pradesh. The strategy also includes deploying mobile medical units for regular blood tests and more rigorous monitoring of maternal health, with a strong emphasis on preventive care. A significant strength of the DiNC system lies in its inclusivity, bringing frontline healthcare workers, including Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Anganwadi staff, into the digital loop. This ensures that even remote and rural communities benefit from enhanced health services. Special Chief Secretary MT Krishna Babu, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Veerapandian, Collector Sumit Kumar, DM&HO Dr DT Sudha Rani, and other senior officials also attended the programme.
