Bill Gates reveals that his children with ex-wife Melinda French will not inherit his fortune of over Rs 9220279530000 due to…
With a fortune of over USD 107.8 billion, Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates is easily one of the richest individuals on the planet. But despite his massive wealth, Gates has a very grounded view when it comes to money and parenting. He believes that success should be earned, not handed down, and wants his children to build their own paths rather than relying on his name or fortune. For those who don’t know, Bill Gates has three children with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates — Jennifer Gates Nassar, Rory Gates, and Phoebe Gates.
In a conversation with content creator Raj Shamani, Gates opened up about his decision not to pass down most of his wealth to his kids. He explained, “I think everyone has to make their own choice. For me, my kids got a great start in life — good education, great upbringing — but they’ll inherit less than 1% of my total wealth. I feel that giving them more wouldn’t be helpful. I don’t want them to feel tied to my achievements or live in the shadow of the opportunities I had. They should have the space to create their own success and identity.”
Gates also spoke about how people in the tech industry tend to look at wealth differently compared to older business dynasties. “Many people in tech don’t believe in building a dynasty. A lot of them prefer to use their wealth for philanthropy instead. Some choose to give away their earnings, others donate large parts of their capital. Personally, I admire all forms of giving, but I’ve noticed that people in the tech world are usually more open to donating the majority of their fortunes.”
Bill Gates’ business empire and life after divorce
Bill Gates, known worldwide as the co-founder of Microsoft, has built a massive business empire over the years. In 2023 alone, Microsoft earned an impressive USD 212 billion in revenue. But Gates hasn’t limited himself to just technology—his investment portfolio includes stakes in Canadian National Railway, Deere & Company, and Republic Services, among others, showing his interest in a wide range of industries.
Bill Gates and Melinda French post-divorce
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates were married for nearly 30 years and are parents to three children. For a long time, they were admired as one of the most respected and powerful couples in the world of philanthropy and business. So, when they announced their divorce in May 2021, it left many people surprised.
In an interview with The Times, Gates admitted that the divorce was extremely difficult for both of them, saying, “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.” He even called it his “biggest regret.”
Melinda French, on the other hand, has written about her emotional journey in her upcoming memoir. She described the experience as feeling like “a beautiful house collapsing” around her, a realization that struck her in late 2019.
Where are they now?
Since their split, both Bill and Melinda have moved forward in their personal lives. Gates is now in a relationship with Paula Hurd, a fellow philanthropist. Melinda, while not officially confirming anything, is rumored to be dating entrepreneur Philip Vaughn.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, when asked whether she’s open to getting married again, Melinda responded, “Yes, if it’s the right person and the right time.”
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