A Deep Dive into Bill Gates' Berkshire Hathaway Holdings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever wondered about the financial connections between two of the most influential billionaires of our time, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett? The friendship between the Microsoft co-founder and the "Oracle of Omaha" is legendary, and it's reflected in a significant way in the portfolio of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. The question of "how many shares does Bill Gates have in Berkshire Hathaway" is a fascinating one, and the answer reveals a lot about his investment strategy and philanthropic goals. Let's break it down together, step by step!
Step 1: Understand the Key Player - The Gates Foundation Trust
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that we are not talking about Bill Gates' personal stock holdings. While he has a private investment firm called Cascade Investment, the vast majority of his public stock holdings, including Berkshire Hathaway, are held and managed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. This is a separate entity that holds the endowment for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world's largest private charitable foundations.
So, why is this distinction important? Because the trust's investment decisions are driven by the foundation's mission to address global challenges in health, poverty, and education. The portfolio is managed to generate returns that can fund the foundation's grants and operations.
Step 2: Uncover the Latest Share Count
So, how many shares are we talking about? According to recent regulatory filings (specifically, the 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has a substantial position in Berkshire Hathaway.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, the trust held approximately 17.17 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway's Class B stock (BRK.B).
Think about that for a moment. That's a massive number of shares in one of the most prestigious companies in the world. This makes Berkshire Hathaway a cornerstone of the foundation's investment portfolio, often ranking as the second-largest holding after Microsoft.
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
Step 3: A Tale of Two Stocks - Class A vs. Class B
To fully appreciate the significance of this holding, we need to understand the difference between Berkshire Hathaway's two classes of stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B).
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): These are the original shares, famous for their incredibly high price tag (often well over $700,000 per share) and full voting rights. Warren Buffett has famously avoided splitting these shares to attract long-term investors.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): These shares were created to be more accessible to retail investors. They trade at a much lower price (hundreds of dollars per share) and have significantly fewer voting rights—specifically, 1/10,000th of the voting power of a Class A share.
The Gates Foundation Trust holds the Class B shares. This is a common and practical choice for a large institutional investor that wants exposure to the company's performance without the high price and logistical challenges of trading Class A shares.
Step 4: Decoding the Donation Connection
The relationship between Gates and Buffett is a two-way street. Not only does the Gates Foundation hold a large stake in Berkshire Hathaway, but Warren Buffett has also been a prolific donor to the foundation.
For years, Buffett has been donating a significant portion of his Berkshire Hathaway shares to the Gates Foundation as part of his commitment to philanthropy. In fact, he has pledged to give away 99% of his fortune to philanthropic causes, with the majority going to the Gates Foundation. These annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway B shares are a primary reason the foundation's holding is so large. Just recently, in June 2025, Buffett made another large donation of millions of Class B shares to the foundation.
Step 5: The Evolving Investment Strategy
While the Gates Foundation Trust holds a significant position in Berkshire Hathaway, it's also important to note that the trust's holdings are not static. The trust's managers are constantly adjusting the portfolio based on market conditions and the foundation's funding needs.
Recent Trends: In recent quarters, there have been reports of the Gates Foundation Trust trimming its position in Berkshire Hathaway. For example, in Q1 2025, the trust reportedly sold over 2 million Class B shares. This is part of the ongoing process of managing a massive portfolio and funding the foundation's grants and operations.
The "Buffett Effect": The foundation's continued investment in Berkshire Hathaway reflects a long-standing trust in Warren Buffett's value-investing philosophy and the diversified portfolio of companies under the Berkshire Hathaway umbrella.
This isn't just about owning a stock; it's about a deep, long-term partnership built on mutual respect and shared philanthropic goals.
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
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| How Many Shares Does Bill Gates Have In Berkshire Hathaway |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How to find the latest Bill Gates stock holdings?
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust files a quarterly report with the SEC called a Form 13F. You can find this public filing on the SEC's EDGAR database or on financial news websites that track institutional investor holdings.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway shares?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway shares (Class B) through any brokerage account. You just need to open an account with a licensed broker, fund it, and place a buy order for the ticker symbol BRK.B.
How to understand the value of a Berkshire Hathaway Class A share?
The value of a Class A share is the share price multiplied by one. It's important to remember that the price is extremely high, making it inaccessible for most individual investors. The Class A shares are known for their high price and low liquidity, which is by design.
QuickTip: Reading twice makes retention stronger.
How to convert Class A shares to Class B?
Class A shareholders can convert their shares into Class B shares at any time. The conversion ratio is 1,500 Class B shares for every 1 Class A share. However, you cannot convert Class B shares back to Class A.
How to track Warren Buffett's donations to the Gates Foundation?
Warren Buffett's donations of Berkshire Hathaway stock are announced through official press releases from Berkshire Hathaway and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. You can also find information in the foundation's annual reports and public statements.
How to determine the total value of the Gates Foundation's Berkshire Hathaway holdings?
To determine the value, you can multiply the number of shares held (e.g., 17.17 million BRK.B shares) by the current market price of a Class B share. This value fluctuates daily with the stock market.
How to invest in a similar way to Bill Gates?
Tip: Reading with intent makes content stick.
While you can't replicate his exact portfolio, you can learn from his strategy. This includes investing in a diversified portfolio of companies that offer essential services, have a competitive advantage (a "moat," as Buffett would say), and have a long-term growth outlook.
How to learn about the Gates Foundation's other investments?
The foundation's 13F filings list all of their public equity holdings. In addition to Berkshire Hathaway and Microsoft, their portfolio often includes companies like Waste Management, Canadian National Railway, and Caterpillar.
How to get a job at the Gates Foundation Trust?
You can explore career opportunities at the Gates Foundation by visiting their official website and looking for job openings in investment management or other departments.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting?
Known as the "Woodstock for Capitalists," the annual shareholders' meeting is held in Omaha, Nebraska, and is open to shareholders. You need to own at least one Class A or Class B share to attend.
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