This year is the Gates Foundation’s 25th anniversary—an occasion that’s prompted me to reflect on what we’ve built, what’s ahead, and how I can make the greatest possible impact in the years to come.
One essay I’ve thought a lot about during this time is The Gospel of Wealth by Andrew Carnegie, where he writes that “the man who dies rich dies disgraced.” The line struck a chord with me when I first read it decades ago, and it still does all these years later.
People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I’m determined that “he died rich” will not be one of them. That’s why I’ve decided to significantly accelerate my plans to give my money back to society. Over the next 20 years, I plan to give away virtually all my wealth through the Gates Foundation. On December 31, 2045, the foundation will officially close its doors.
This is a shift from our original plan, but recent advances in science and technology—like new vaccines, gene therapies, and AI tools for education and healthcare—make me believe the foundation can accomplish our goals sooner than we thought.
The world’s needs are urgent, and we now have a chance to act faster. By doubling our giving over the next two decades, we can make even greater progress on ending preventable childhood and maternal deaths, eradicating diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty. And we can make sure the next generation is better equipped to face future challenges.
The foundation has accomplished a lot over the past 25 years, and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done. But there’s more to do—and more we can do right now.
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