When your father is among the wealthiest individuals in the world, it’s natural to expect a sizable inheritance in the future. But in the Gates family, the approach will be notably different. Bill Gates recently opened up on the Figuring Out With Raj Shamani podcast about why his three children—Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe—won’t be getting the golden ticket to his $108 billion fortune.
READ: Why Bill Gates’ Children Are Only Inheriting “Less Than 1%” of His Wealth
“Everybody gets to decide on that,” Bill Gates said of inheritance plans. In his case, he’s sticking to the belief that giving his children a vast fortune wouldn’t actually help them. “It’s not a dynasty,” he explained. “I’m not asking them to run Microsoft. I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success.”
That “less than 1%” inheritance isn't about being frugal—it's about principle. According to Bill, he and former wife Melinda gave their children a great upbringing and access to top-tier education, but when it comes to wealth, he believes in letting them chart their own course. “You don’t want your kids to ever be confused about your support for them and your love for them,” he said, emphasizing that his children have always known where he stands: equal treatment, big opportunities, but no family money tree.
“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education but less than 1% of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favor to them.”
Bill also revealed that his children have grown up watching their parents devote time, energy, and billions to global health, sanitation, and education through the Gates Foundation—something he hopes they’re proud of. According to The Independent, he’s long made it clear that the bulk of his wealth will go toward philanthropy, not family inheritance. In fact, back in 2014, he told a TED audience that most of his fortune would be donated. By 2017, he’d already capped the amount his children would inherit: $10 million each.
It wasn’t just his own idea, either. He credits fellow billionaire Warren Buffett for inspiring this approach to legacy. “Warren was part of an article in Fortune talking about this in 1986 before I met him,” Gates said. “And it made me think about it and decide he was right.”
Bill Gates’ Net Worth in 2025
Despite his extensive philanthropic efforts, Gates remains firmly positioned among the world’s wealthiest individuals. He’s currently number 13 on the Forbes 2025 Billionaires List, with a net worth of $108 billion. And while less than 1% may sound modest in context, it still amounts to approximately $1 billion—a sum that ensures his children won’t be facing financial hardship.
According to Forbes, Gates has diversified his fortune well beyond Microsoft. While he famously co-founded the software giant with Paul Allen in 1975 after dropping out of Harvard, these days his portfolio includes companies like Republic Services (a major waste disposal firm) and Deere & Co. (the iconic tractor brand). He stepped down from Microsoft’s board in 2020 and has since donated billions—most of them in Microsoft shares—to the Gates Foundation.
To date, he’s given away more than $59 billion, with a $20 billion donation announced just in 2022. Even after his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates, he remains the sole chairman of the Foundation.
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