Bill Gates announces he will donate $200 billion to the poorest in the next two decades

(Patria) - American businessman Bill Gates promised yesterday that he will donate almost his entire fortune over the next two decades.

As he said, about $200 billion will go to the poorest in the world through his foundation.

The philanthropist and 69-year-old co-founder of Microsoft announced that he is accelerating plans to distribute his wealth and close the Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045.

"People will say many things about me when I die, but I am determined that 'he died rich' will not be one of them," Gates wrote in a post on his website.

He emphasizes that there are many urgent problems to solve to save resources that can help people.

He indirectly criticized US President Donald Trump for reducing US foreign aid.

Gates said he wants to help prevent the deaths of babies, children, and mothers from preventable causes, fight diseases like polio, malaria, and measles, and reduce poverty.

"It is not clear whether the world's richest countries will continue to protect the poorest," Gates added, mentioning aid reductions by the United Kingdom and France as well.

He also pointed out that, despite the Foundation's large budget, progress would not be possible without government support.

He praised the response of some African countries to aid reductions, stating they have reallocated their budgets, but emphasized that, for example, polio cannot be eradicated without US funding.

Gates made this announcement on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Foundation, which he established in 2000 with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates, and was later joined by investor Warren Buffett.

"I have come a long way from when I was a boy starting a software company with my high school friend," Gates recalled.

Since its inception, the Foundation has donated $100 billion, helping to save millions of lives and supporting initiatives such as the vaccination group Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

According to Gates, the Foundation will be closed after spending about 99 percent of his wealth.

Gates, whose wealth is estimated at around $108 billion, expects the Foundation to spend about $200 billion by 2045, with the final figure depending on markets and inflation.

The Foundation is already one of the largest players in global health, with an annual budget expected to reach nine billion dollars by 2026.

It has faced criticism for having too much power and influence in this area, without sufficient accountability – including within the World Health Organization.

Gates has also been the target of conspiracy theories, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent months, he has had several conversations with President Trump about the importance of continuing to invest in global health.

"I hope other wealthy people will consider how much progress they can accelerate for the poorest in the world if they increase the pace and scale of their donations, as it is an extremely powerful way to give back to society," Gates wrote.