How Many Shares of Berkshire Hathaway Does Bill Gates Own? A Detailed Guide
Hello there! Ever wondered about the financial ties between two of the world's most prominent figures in business and philanthropy, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett? If you're a curious investor or just someone fascinated by the world of billionaires, you've come to the right place. We're going to dive deep into a topic that often sparks a lot of interest: the number of Berkshire Hathaway shares held by Bill Gates. It's a complex relationship that goes beyond simple stock ownership, so let's break it down together, step by step.
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| How Many Shares Of Berkshire Hathaway Does Bill Gates Own |
Step 1: The Gates Foundation is the Key Player, not Bill Gates Personally
First things first, it's crucial to understand that we are not talking about Bill Gates' personal portfolio. While he certainly has his own investments through his private office, Cascade Investment, the publicly known holdings in Berkshire Hathaway are almost entirely held by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. This is the investment arm of the philanthropic organization co-founded by Bill and his former wife, Melinda French Gates. So, when you ask how many shares "Bill Gates" owns, you are essentially asking about the foundation's holdings. This distinction is paramount to understanding the full picture.
Step 2: Tracking the Foundation's Berkshire Hathaway Holdings
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
So, how do we track these holdings? The Gates Foundation is required to file quarterly reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the form of a 13F filing. These filings provide a snapshot of the foundation's publicly traded stock portfolio at the end of each quarter. This is our primary source of information.
Sub-heading: A History of Donations from Warren Buffett
The relationship between Bill Gates and Warren Buffett is built on a strong foundation of friendship and shared philanthropic goals. A significant portion of the Gates Foundation's Berkshire Hathaway shares have not been purchased in the open market, but have been donated by Warren Buffett himself. Since 2006, Buffett has made annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares to the foundation as part of his massive pledge to give away his wealth. These donations are a major reason why the foundation has consistently held a large stake.
Step 3: Examining the Latest Data (as of late 2024/early 2025)
Based on the latest available reports, let's look at the numbers. As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust held just over 17 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock. The value of this holding can fluctuate with the market price, but it was recently estimated to be worth around $8.7 billion.
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
Sub-heading: The Dynamic Nature of the Foundation's Portfolio
It's important to note that the number of shares isn't static. The foundation sometimes sells shares to fund its various philanthropic initiatives, such as global health programs, education, and development projects. For example, recent reports show that the foundation has been trimming its stake in Berkshire Hathaway over the past several quarters. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the foundation reportedly offloaded 2.48 million Class B shares. This demonstrates a key aspect of their investment strategy: liquidating assets to finance their charitable mission.
Step 4: The Impact and Significance of the Holdings
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Why is this holding so significant?
A Testament to a Friendship: The sheer size of the holding is a powerful symbol of the long-standing friendship and mutual respect between Gates and Buffett. It reflects Buffett's trust in the foundation's ability to use his wealth for the greater good.
A Core Investment: Berkshire Hathaway is a core holding in the Gates Foundation's portfolio, often ranking as their second-largest position after Microsoft. This indicates a strong belief in the long-term value and stability of Buffett's conglomerate.
Funding Global Change: The billions of dollars' worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock provides a massive and reliable source of capital for the foundation's work. Without these donations and the value of these shares, their ability to tackle some of the world's most pressing issues would be severely limited.
Tip: Absorb, don’t just glance.
Step 5: What the Future Holds for this Investment
The future of this holding is tied to both the stock market and Warren Buffett's ongoing donations. While Buffett has announced his intention to continue donating his shares to various foundations, the pace and recipients may change over time. The Gates Foundation has also stated its intention to spend down its endowment over a specific timeline, which could lead to further sales of its holdings, including Berkshire Hathaway.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings with Quick Answers
How to track the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's stock portfolio? You can track the foundation's portfolio by reviewing its quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings are publicly available on the SEC's website.
How to understand the difference between Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B shares? Class A shares (BRK.A) are the original shares with a very high price per share and more voting rights, while Class B shares (BRK.B) were created at a lower price point to make them more accessible to individual investors, with less voting power. The foundation primarily holds Class B shares.
How to interpret a 13F filing? A 13F filing shows the holdings of institutional investment managers with over $100 million in assets. It lists the names of the securities held, the number of shares, and their market value at the end of the quarter.
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
How to see Bill Gates's personal investments? Bill Gates's personal investments are managed through his private office, Cascade Investment, and are not required to be disclosed in the same way as the foundation's holdings. Therefore, his personal portfolio is not fully public.
How to learn about Warren Buffett's philanthropic giving? Warren Buffett's philanthropic activities are well-documented in his annual letters to shareholders and through various news reports. He has pledged to give away almost his entire fortune to charity.
How to find out the current value of the Gates Foundation's Berkshire Hathaway stake? You can calculate the approximate value by multiplying the number of shares held (from the latest 13F filing) by the current market price of Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) shares.
How to know if the Gates Foundation sells its shares? Any significant changes in the foundation's holdings, including sales, will be reported in the subsequent quarterly 13F filing.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway? You can invest in Berkshire Hathaway by purchasing either Class A (BRK.A) or Class B (BRK.B) shares through a brokerage account. Most individual investors opt for the more affordable Class B shares.
How to understand why Warren Buffett donates Class B shares? Buffett donates Class B shares because they are more liquid and easier to distribute to foundations than the very high-priced Class A shares. This makes it easier for the recipients to sell the shares and use the funds for their charitable work.
How to know if Bill Gates is still on the board of Berkshire Hathaway? No, Bill Gates is not currently on the board of Berkshire Hathaway. He stepped down from the board in March 2020 to focus more on his philanthropic work.
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