Bill Gates founded Microsoft and was the world’s richest person for years, yet today almost none of his wealth is Microsoft stock. In 2026, estimates put his net worth at roughly $104 billion to $109 billion. This guide explains where that money actually sits, from Microsoft Shares, Foundation & Investments, and how his giving has changed the picture. For more profiles like this one, visit our celebrity net worth hub.
Bill Gates Net Worth in 2026 at a Glance
Investormint says about $107 billion to $108 billion as of April 2026, citing Bloomberg and Forbes, and notes that Visual Capitalist’s 2026 ranking gives $103.8 billion. He ranks around 18th in the world, down from the top five for much of the 2000s and 2010s. An older article I came across still listed $129 billion, which is out of date, so I did not use it.
None of these figures are verified by Gates or his team. They move every day with stock prices, and the value of private holdings is an estimate.
Microsoft Shares: The Origin of the Fortune
Gates held about 45 percent of Microsoft at its 1986 IPO, according to Investormint. He sold most of his shares over the years and left the company’s board in March 2020, so he no longer appears in its proxy statements. Bloomberg estimates he received more than $60 billion in Microsoft stock and dividends over time.
The company is no longer the main driver of his wealth. Investormint says Microsoft now makes up less than 1 percent of his personal net worth, though that claim is hard to check because his holdings are not publicly listed. Earlier articles that cite a larger percentage appear to be outdated or counting stock held by the foundation.
The Foundation Sells Its Last Shares
In 2026 the Gates Foundation Trust sold its remaining Microsoft stock. GeekWire reports that the trust sold 7.7 million shares for about $3.2 billion, ending a selloff that began in the fourth quarter of 2023. At the 2022 peak, Microsoft made up 27 percent of the trust’s holdings. The article does not present the sale as a negative view of the company.
Cascade Investment: His Real Wealth Vehicle
Most of his personal fortune sits in Cascade Investment, a private holding company based in Kirkland, Washington. Investormint says it holds public stocks, farmland and commercial property in the US, and private energy stakes. Values for the private assets are estimates and have not been audited.
Valuation is a real issue here. Bloomberg cut about $50 billion from its Cascade estimate in July 2025 after lowering its assumed rate of appreciation, which shows how much guesswork is involved. Another source says Gates and the foundation together own about 10 percent of Canadian National Railway, making him the largest single shareholder. The same source says Gates and Prince Al Waleed bin Talal own 95 percent of Four Seasons after a $3.8 billion investment in 2007, but that figure is older and may have changed.
Some articles mix up holdings between Cascade and the foundation, so treat any list of his top stocks with caution. If you want to see how other wealthy people structure their holdings, take a look at our richest athletes list.
The Gates Foundation: The Biggest Reason His Net Worth Fell
How Much He Has Given
GeekWire reports that the foundation has disbursed more than $110 billion since it began. Investormint puts the figure at about $100 billion, so the exact total depends on the date and the source. The foundation issued $8.5 billion in grants last year and is committing $9 billion this year, and its endowment was worth $89 billion at the end of last year.
Gates has also moved money outside the foundation. Investormint says $12.5 billion went to Melinda French Gates, plus more than $8 billion in earlier stock transfers when the divorce was announced in 2021. Some of those transfers were still being finalized in 2025 and 2026, so not every estimate reflects them.
The 2045 Pledge
Gates has pledged to give away about $200 billion, nearly all of his wealth, over the next two decades, and the foundation will close in 2045. Investormint says the target is 99 percent of his fortune. It is worth remembering that this is a stated intention, not a legally binding commitment.
That pledge explains why his rank keeps slipping. He is giving money away faster than most of the people around him in the rankings, while his stocks continue to grow. Ranking lower does not mean his holdings are shrinking in value.
Foundation Portfolio vs. Personal Wealth
It helps to separate the foundation’s investments from Gates’s own. Investormint says the foundation’s equity portfolio is about $38 billion, with roughly 59 to 60 percent in three stocks: Berkshire Hathaway, Waste Management and Canadian National Railway. That money belongs to the foundation and funds its grants, not to Gates personally. His own net worth comes mainly from Cascade and related holdings.
What Could Change His Net Worth Next
Stock markets, the value of Cascade’s private assets and the pace of his giving are the biggest factors. Further transfers to the foundation could lower his figure even if his investments do well, while a strong market could push it back up. Because most of it is private, estimates will keep shifting.
Bill Gates Net Worth FAQs
How much is Bill Gates worth in 2026?
Most estimates run from $103.8 billion to about $108 billion. None are verified by Gates.
Does he still own Microsoft stock?
Microsoft is now a very small part of his personal net worth, and the Gates Foundation Trust has sold all of its remaining shares. His exact personal holdings are not public.
What is Cascade Investment?
It is his private holding company, which owns public stocks, farmland, property and energy stakes. Its value is estimated, not audited.
How much will he give away?
He has pledged about $200 billion over two decades, with the foundation closing in 2045. The pledge is not legally binding.
Final Thoughts
Bill Gates’ wealth now rests on a private holding company and a long term plan to give most of it away. His estimated $104 billion to $109 billion will keep moving with markets and donations. Browse our celebrity net worth page for more 2026 profiles.
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