How Bill Gates spends his $153 billion fortune, from a luxury car collection to pledging most of his wealth to his charity foundation

Sarah Jackson,Avery Hartmans,Hillary Hoffower,Taylor Nicole RogersMay 29, 2024, 12:50 IST

Bill Gates is one of a few centibillionaires in the world.Fabrice Coffrini/Getty Images

Bill Gates, the cofounder of Microsoft, has a fortune worth an estimated $153 billion.
Gates has said he'll one day give most of his wealth to his charity foundation.

Bill Gates may be the world's fifth-richest person, but he doesn't plan to stay that way forever.

The Microsoft cofounder said in 2022 that he "will move down and eventually off of the list of the world's richest people" as he plans to give "virtually" all of it to his philanthropic organization.

Gates is worth $153 billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, and is one of only a handful of moguls to reach centibillionaire status.

Gates has made some lavish purchases over the years: He owns a Washington estate worth $183.5 million, a private airplane, and a luxury car collection. But these indulgences make up only a fraction of his massive fortune, and Gates isn't known to throw his money around.

Gates has also given money to charitable causes through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and vowed to give away most of his fortune through the Giving Pledge, which he and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates launched in 2010 along with Warren Buffett.

Here is a look at how Gates spends his billions.

Bill Gates, the cofounder of Microsoft, has an estimated net worth of $153 billion.

Bill Gates cofounded Microsoft with Paul Allen.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

But he has indulged in things over time, he said, like a private plane.

A Bombardier private jet, though not the one Gates owns.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Gates also spent a lot on his estate, Xanadu 2.0, in Medina, Washington. It reportedly took him seven years and $63 million to build.

Gates' estate in Medina, Washington is called Xanadu 2.0.Reuters

Gates is an avid luxury-car collector.

A Porsche 911, though, not Gates' actual car. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Outside of his Washington pad, Gates also has a 20-acre estate in Wellington, Florida.

Gates estate is in Wellington, Florida, which is in the west of West Palm Beach. Crystal Bolin Photography/Getty Images

In California, Gates owns the 228-acre Rancho Paseana, which he purchased for $18 million.

An aerial view of Rancho Paseana, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates' 220-plus acre property that is used as an equestrian center.EarthExplorer

He added to his California real estate portfolio in 2020, dropping $43 million on an oceanfront home in Del Mar, California.

Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates' first San Diego property is on the grounds of the Del Mar Country Club.EarthExplorer

Gates also owns a 6-bedroom home on the grounds of Indian Wells' famous Vintage Club.

Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates purchased another San Diego county home in 2014 on the grounds of the Santaluz Club, pictured here.Courtesy of Rees Jones, Inc.

Gates has also bought property at the Yellowstone Club in Montana.

The Yellowstone Club is an exclusive members-only resort in Montana.Siemens Photography/Courtesy of Discovery Land Company

He's made numerous investments through his personal investment firm, Cascade, including partial ownership of Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

A pool and fountain at the Four Seasons Maui, a hotel chain that Bill Gates purchased a controlling stake in through his investment firm, Cascade.Getty/Smith Collection/Gado

Gates also takes luxurious vacations.

The superyacht Serene is pictured at Auckland's Wynyard Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand.Phil Walter/Getty Images

He previously said that he likes to play tennis and go skiing. He's also been spotted spectating at tennis matches.

Bill Gates watches a tennis match with Larry Ellison at the BNP Paribas Open 2024.Getty/Clive Brunskill

Gates is known for his philanthropy.

Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates continue to work together on the Gates Foundation.Handout/ Getty

When it comes to the future of his fortune, Gates has said he's leaving $10 million to each of his children, a fraction of his net worth.

Bill and his daughter Phoebe Gates attending the Time100 Gala in June 2022.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.

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