As of April 2025,
Bill Gates remains one of the richest individuals in the world, continuing to exert global influence through both financial investments and philanthropic initiatives. Despite stepping away from his executive role at Microsoft over a decade ago and donating tens of billions to charitable causes, Gates maintains a net worth exceeding $100 billion. The co-founder of Microsoft and current chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has diversified his portfolio significantly over the years. His fortune is now driven largely by strategic investments managed through Cascade Investment LLC and bolstered by his legacy in the tech sector.
Bill Gates’ net worth hits $104.6 billion in April 2025, ranks #14 globally
According to the
Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List, Bill Gates' estimated net worth as of April 2025 stands at $104.6 billion, placing him at #14 on the global wealth rankings. This valuation accounts for a decade of large-scale philanthropy, including his landmark $20 billion donation to the Gates Foundation in 2022. Gates’ consistent presence in the upper echelon of the billionaire ranks is attributed to his diversified investment strategy and long-standing stake in Microsoft, even as his holdings in the company have decreased over time.

Bill Gates
Transition from Microsoft to investments
Microsoft holdings
At his peak, Gates held a dominant stake in Microsoft. However, since resigning from the company’s board in 2020, he has steadily reduced his ownership. By 2025, he owns less than 1% of Microsoft’s total outstanding shares. Despite the reduction, this still represents billions of dollars in value given Microsoft’s current market capitalization exceeding $2.5 trillion.
Cascade Investment LLC
A significant portion of Gates’ wealth is now managed through Cascade Investment LLC, a private investment firm he established with the help of financial advisor Michael Larson. Cascade’s portfolio spans multiple sectors, including:
- Waste Management (Republic Services)
- Industrial Equipment (Deere & Co.)
- Hospitality (Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
- Water and Hygiene (Ecolab)
- Food & Beverage (Coca-Cola FEMSA and Canadian National Railway)
These diversified holdings have allowed Gates to reduce dependency on tech and ensure long-term financial stability.
How Bill Gates makes money today: Investments, not salary
Bill Gates no longer earns from corporate salaries or direct product revenues. Instead, his wealth is sustained through:
- Investment income
- Dividends and capital gains from Cascade’s holdings
- Returns from real estate and equity investments
- Royalties from books and speaking engagements
Though he spends much of his time on philanthropic work, his investments continue to generate substantial returns, ensuring his net worth remains in the multi-billion-dollar range.
Bill Gates no longer #1, but still richer than Zuckerberg and Buffett
While Gates was once the richest person in the world, he has since been surpassed by tech entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who currently have estimated net worths between $200 billion and $300 billion. However, Gates still ranks higher than:
- Warren Buffett (~$119 billion)
- Larry Page (~$109 billion)
- Mark Zuckerberg (~$96 billion)
- Satya Nadella (~$1.4 billion)
- Sundar Pichai (~$1.3 billion)
Gates’ lower rank is largely due to his extensive charitable giving, but his wealth still surpasses many current tech executives and CEOs.
Bill Gates’ philanthropy and global impact
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Gates has donated more than $59 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, making it the largest private philanthropic organization in the world. The foundation focuses on:
- Global health and vaccine development
- Sanitation and clean water access
- Educational equity and digital access
- Agricultural innovation in developing nations
The 2022 donation of $20 billion marked a major milestone in Gates’ ongoing pledge to give away the majority of his fortune.
The Giving Pledge
Gates is also a co-founder of The Giving Pledge, a global movement encouraging billionaires to commit at least half their wealth to charitable causes during their lifetimes. He has stated publicly that his children will inherit only a modest portion of his wealth, emphasizing values of self-reliance and service.
Bill Gates’ assets and lifestyle
Unlike many billionaires who invest heavily in luxury items or space travel, Gates is known for a relatively modest lifestyle. His primary residence is a technologically advanced mansion known as Xanadu 2.0 in Medina, Washington, estimated to be worth over $130 million. The 66,000-square-foot estate features:
- An earth-sheltered design
- A 60-foot pool with underwater music system
- A 2,100-square-foot library with a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript
He also owns farmland across the U.S. and a collection of classic cars, but his lifestyle reflects more practicality than extravagance.
Future plans and global influence
In 2025, Bill Gates continues to be a central figure in global conversations surrounding:
- Climate change and sustainable energy
- Pandemic preparedness
- AI regulation and tech ethics
- Global education equity
Gates frequently publishes reports, appears at international summits, and collaborates with governments and NGOs to support large-scale initiatives. Though he no longer holds a corporate title, his influence in both philanthropy and technology remains substantial.