Have you ever wondered about the financial ties between two of the world's most influential billionaires, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett? It's a fascinating story of friendship, philanthropy, and investment that has had a monumental impact on the world. You might think that with their long-standing friendship, Bill Gates would hold a massive personal stake in Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway. But the truth is a little more nuanced and deeply intertwined with a commitment to giving back.
Let's dive in and unravel the details of this incredible financial relationship.
Step 1: Understand the Key Player – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust
Before we can answer the question of how much Bill Gates owns, we need to understand a critical distinction. Bill Gates's investment in Berkshire Hathaway isn't a personal holding in his name. Instead, the vast majority, if not all, of his Berkshire Hathaway shares are held through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. This trust is the investment arm of the renowned Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization co-founded by Bill and his former wife, Melinda French Gates.
So, why is this important? Because it means the holdings are managed to generate returns for the foundation's charitable work, not for Bill Gates's personal gain. It's a crucial part of their strategy to address some of the world's most pressing issues, from global health to poverty.
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| How Much Does Bill Gates Own Of Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Uncover the Holding Details - A Significant, but not Controlling, Stake
So, how much of Berkshire Hathaway does this trust own? While the exact figures can fluctuate slightly with market value and donations, recent filings provide a clear picture.
As of late 2024 and early 2025, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has held a significant position in Berkshire Hathaway's Class B shares. The trust's holdings are a major part of its investment portfolio, though they are not the largest. According to recent reports and filings, the trust's holdings in Berkshire Hathaway are valued at billions of dollars.
For example, as of a recent quarter, the trust held over 17 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, valued at more than $8.7 billion. This represents a substantial portion of the foundation's total portfolio, often making it the second or third-largest holding after Microsoft.
It's important to note that while this is a massive sum of money, it does not represent a controlling interest in Berkshire Hathaway. The foundation's stake is a minority ownership, and the company remains under the control of its board and Chairman, Warren Buffett.
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
Step 3: Recognize the Source of the Shares - Warren Buffett's Generosity
This is where the story gets even more interesting. The reason the Gates Foundation holds so many Berkshire Hathaway shares is not because Bill Gates bought them on the open market. It's because of Warren Buffett's incredible commitment to philanthropy.
Since 2006, Warren Buffett has been making annual donations of his Berkshire Hathaway shares to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He pledged to give away the vast majority of his fortune to philanthropic causes, with the Gates Foundation as the primary beneficiary. In June 2025 alone, Buffett announced a donation of 9.43 million Class B shares to the Gates Foundation Trust, part of a larger $6 billion donation to several foundations. This is a recurring event that has steadily built the Gates Foundation's position in the company.
Think about it: Instead of selling his shares and donating the cash, Buffett donates the shares directly. This allows the foundation to benefit from the continued growth of Berkshire Hathaway, and they can then sell the shares as needed to fund their programs. It's a powerful and effective model for philanthropic giving.
Step 4: Analyze the Current and Historical Trends - A Shifting Portfolio
While the Gates Foundation has been a consistent holder of Berkshire Hathaway stock, there have been some recent changes. In recent quarters, the trust has been seen to trim its stake in Berkshire Hathaway. For instance, in Q1 2025, the trust reportedly sold over 2 million Class B shares.
What does this mean? It doesn't signal a lack of faith in Berkshire Hathaway. Instead, it's a strategic move to raise capital for the foundation's charitable grants and operations. Buffett's donations come with a stipulation that the foundation must use the full value of the donated shares plus 5% of the foundation's assets for grants and operations. Therefore, as Buffett continues to donate shares, the foundation must sell some of them to fund its initiatives.
This demonstrates a disciplined approach to managing a large endowment and ensures that the funds are actively deployed for their intended purpose.
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
Step 5: Differentiate between Personal Ownership and Foundation Ownership
To reiterate and make it absolutely clear: Bill Gates does not have a personal, public ownership stake in Berkshire Hathaway. While he is one of the trustees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, the shares are owned by the trust itself. The value of these shares contributes to the foundation's endowment, not to Bill Gates's personal net worth.
This distinction is key to understanding the altruistic nature of this relationship. It's not about one billionaire getting richer from another's success. It's about a collaborative effort to leverage immense wealth for global good.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings with Quick Answers
How to find the latest Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust holdings?
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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust's holdings are publicly disclosed through quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings provide a snapshot of their publicly traded stock portfolio. You can find them on the SEC's EDGAR database or on financial data websites.
How to know the current value of the Gates Foundation's Berkshire Hathaway stake?
You can calculate a near-real-time value by taking the number of shares held by the trust (from their latest 13F filing) and multiplying it by the current market price of Berkshire Hathaway's Class B stock (BRK.B).
QuickTip: Read section by section for better flow.
How to understand the difference between Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B shares?
Class A shares (BRK.A) are the original shares, trade at a very high price per share, and have significant voting rights. Class B shares (BRK.B) were created to be more affordable, have a much lower price, and carry fewer voting rights. Warren Buffett's donations are typically in Class B shares.
How to track Warren Buffett's donations to the Gates Foundation?
Warren Buffett publicly announces his annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway shares. You can track these announcements through Berkshire Hathaway's press releases, financial news outlets, and the Gates Foundation's own public statements.
How to understand why the Gates Foundation sells some of its Berkshire Hathaway shares?
The foundation sells shares to generate cash for its grants and operational costs. Warren Buffett's donation agreement includes a stipulation that the foundation must use the value of the shares and a portion of its assets each year for charitable purposes, which necessitates selling some of the stock.
How to know if Bill Gates has a personal portfolio of his own?
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While Bill Gates's wealth is largely tied to the foundation, he also has a personal investment portfolio, managed by his investment office. However, details of this personal portfolio are not as transparent as the foundation's public filings.
How to see the other major holdings in the Gates Foundation's portfolio?
Besides Berkshire Hathaway, the foundation's portfolio is heavily concentrated in a few other "boring but beautiful" companies, including Microsoft, Waste Management, and Canadian National Railway, among others. You can view the full list in their quarterly 13F filings.
How to learn about the history of the Gates-Buffett friendship?
Their friendship goes back decades and is well-documented in books, interviews, and public appearances. Buffett served on the Gates Foundation's board, and their shared commitment to philanthropy solidified their bond.
How to understand the impact of Buffett's donations on the foundation's work?
Buffett's donations are a cornerstone of the Gates Foundation's endowment. The value generated from these shares allows the foundation to fund massive, long-term initiatives in areas like global health, poverty reduction, and education, leading to a significant impact on a global scale.
How to find out if Bill Gates still has a role at Berkshire Hathaway?
Bill Gates served on the board of directors for Berkshire Hathaway from 2004 to 2020. He stepped down from the board in March 2020 to focus on his philanthropic work. He no longer holds a formal role with the company.
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