Bill Gates gives away 67 million Microsoft shares; makes $4.6bn donation

Microsoft co-founder and world’s richest man, Bill Gates has reportedly given away $4.6bn to charity, making this his largest donation since 2000. He has given away 64 million shares in Microsoft – equivalent to 5 per cent of his total fortune which now stands at roughly $89.9bn. He only holds 1.3 per cent share in Microsoft now.

The donation was made in June but became public on Monday following the filing of a document with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, reported BBC. While the latest donation is made to a non-profit foundation, it is not known who the recipient is. Gates with his wife, Melinda have given a total of $35bn in cash and stocks to a range of charitable causes including the ‘Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,’ focused entirely on reducing world poverty, combating diseases and providing universal access to computers.

Back in 2010, Gates and Melinda along with well-known investor, Warren Buffett created ‘Giving Pledge,’ that encourages families to donate a share of their wealth to charity. As of May 2017, 158 individuals/couples have agreed to contribute at least half of their wealth to charity. This latest donation is the biggest charitable gift to have been made anywhere in the world so far this year.