Bill Gates, an American billionaire entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. As of 2024, Bill Gates net worth is $156 billion.
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of his wealth does not stem from Microsoft, the company he co-founded.
Gates currently owns 103 million shares of Microsoft, valued at approximately $38 billion, assuming a share price of $370.
The remaining $100+ billion of his net worth is derived from a diverse portfolio of investments managed primarily through Cascade Investments.
This investment vehicle controls various assets, including the majority ownership of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and significant farmland in the United States.
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Bill Gates Net Worth Microsoft Shareholding
When Microsoft went public in 1986, Gates held a 45% stake in the company, which gradually decreased over the years due to stock sales.
By 2000, his shareholding was reduced to 14%, and today, he owns just 1.4% of Microsoft, equating to 103 million shares.
Steve Ballmer, Gates’ successor, currently holds the title of the largest individual shareholder with a 4% stake.
Despite owning a smaller percentage, Gates receives substantial dividends from Microsoft, amounting to $309 million annually, while Ballmer receives nearly $1 billion.
Investment and Philanthropy
Gates has amassed nearly $60 billion from stock sales and dividends over the decades, which have funded Cascade Investment LLC.
Cascade manages investments in hundreds of companies, including 270,000 acres of American farmland and significant stakes in public stocks like Apple, Canadian National Railway, Republic Services, Ecolab, Waste Management, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Additionally, Cascade controls a majority of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Bill Gates Early Life and Education
Born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, William Henry Gates III displayed an early interest in computing.
He attended the private Lakeside School, where he wrote his first software program, a tic-tac-toe game, on a GE computer.
Gates and his friends formed the Lakeside Programmers Club to make money by finding bugs in software.
He later developed a class scheduling system for Lakeside, cleverly placing himself in classes with more interesting girls.
Gates continued his education at Harvard but dropped out in his sophomore year to pursue a career in software development.
Microsoft Foundation and Growth
Microsoft’s inception in 1975 resulted from a partnership between Gates and Paul Allen, who developed software for the Altair 8800 computer.
The company was officially registered as “Microsoft” in 1976. Gates reviewed every line of code shipped during the company’s early years.
Microsoft launched its first retail version of Windows on November 20, 1985, and went public in 1986.
Gates’ 45% stake was worth $350 million after the initial public offering, making him a billionaire less than a year later.
Gates stepped down from his daily role at Microsoft in 2006 to focus on philanthropy and resigned as Chairman in 2020.
Cascade Investments
Cascade Investment, Gates’ private investment vehicle, has over $200 billion in assets under management. Its portfolio includes:
- Farmland: Largest owner in the U.S., with 269,000 acres.
- Technology Stocks: Significant holdings in Apple and Microsoft.
- Equity Holdings: Canadian National Railway, Republic Services, Ecolab, Femsa.
- Berkshire Hathaway: Cascade’s largest holding, comprising over 50% of its portfolio.
- Waste Management: The second-largest holding.
- Four Seasons: Majority ownership of the hospitality brand.
Bill Gates Personal Life
In 1987, Gates met Melinda French at Microsoft, and they married on January 1, 1994.
They have three children: Phoebe Adele, Rory John, and Jennifer Katharine. The couple established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, the largest transparently operated charitable foundation in the world.
In 2010, Bill and Melinda, along with Warren Buffett, signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to charity over time.
Bill Gates Real Estate Holdings
Gates owns several notable properties:
- Xanadu 2.0: A 66,000-square-foot mansion in Medina, Washington, featuring high-tech amenities and extensive security.
- Rancho Santa Fe, CA: A $18 million horse ranch purchased in 2014.
- Del Mar, CA: A $43 million oceanfront mansion acquired in 2020.
- Wellington, FL: An $8.7 million horse ranch bought in 2013.
- Cody, WY: A 492-acre ranch with historical significance, acquired in 2009.
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Conclusion
Bill Gates’ net worth and success extend far beyond his association with Microsoft.
Through strategic investments and philanthropic endeavors, he has built a diverse and substantial financial portfolio.
Gates’ contributions to technology, investment, and charity have left an indelible mark on the world, ensuring his legacy as a prominent figure in modern history.
