Bill Gates Net Worth

Bill Gates, the American business magnate, software pioneer, and philanthropist, has a staggering net worth of $160 billion. While many associate Gates’ immense fortune with Microsoft, the tech company he co-founded, only a fraction of his wealth today actually comes from the tech giant. As of 2025, Gates holds about 103 million shares of Microsoft, which, at an average price of $370 per share, amounts to $38 billion. The majority of his net worth—well over $100 billion—is managed through a powerful investment firm known as Cascade Investment LLC.

Bill Gates Net Worth: $160 Billion
Date of Birth: October 28, 1955
Place of Birth: Seattle
Nationality: American

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Early Life

Born William Henry Gates III on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Gates demonstrated brilliance in programming from an early age. At 13, he wrote his first software program—a tic-tac-toe game. He later partnered with childhood friend Paul Allen, and the two founded Microsoft in 1975 after developing a BASIC interpreter for the MITS Altair 8800.

By 1980, Microsoft had landed a major deal to provide the MS-DOS operating system for IBM computers. The company grew exponentially throughout the ’80s and ’90s, launching Windows in 1985 and becoming the dominant software company worldwide. Microsoft went public in 1986, instantly making Gates a multimillionaire. By the time he was 31, he had become a billionaire.

From Microsoft Mogul to Global Investor

In 1986, when Microsoft went public, Gates owned a commanding 45% stake in the company. Over time, through stock sales and generous philanthropy, that share has dwindled to less than 1.4%. Interestingly, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer now holds a larger individual stake—approximately 4%—making him the largest individual shareholder.

Yet, Gates’ early Microsoft holdings paid off handsomely. He earned approximately $60 billion through stock sales and dividends over the years, funds he reinvested through Cascade Investment. Cascade today is a diversified powerhouse, managing over $200 billion in assets.

What Cascade Investment Owns

Cascade’s investments span across real estate, agriculture, hospitality, technology, and blue-chip equities. Some of the most prominent holdings include:

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: Gates began investing in the luxury hotel chain in 2007 and became the majority owner in 2021 after buying out Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s stake for $2.21 billion, raising his ownership to 71.3%. This transaction valued the brand at $10 billion.
Farmland: Through shell companies, Cascade controls 269,000 acres of farmland across the United States, making Gates the largest private farmland owner in the country.
Public Companies: Cascade holds significant stakes in Apple, Microsoft, Republic Services, Ecolab, Canadian National Railway, and Waste Management.
Berkshire Hathaway: This is one of Cascade’s largest equity holdings, representing over 50% of its investment portfolio.

Philanthropy

Gates stepped down from his day-to-day role at Microsoft in 2008 and eventually from the board in 2020 to focus full-time on philanthropy. In 2000, he and his then-wife Melinda French Gates created the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, now the world’s largest private charitable foundation. Its work spans global health, poverty eradication, and education reform.

In 2010, alongside Warren Buffett, the couple launched The Giving Pledge, a commitment by the ultra-wealthy to donate at least half of their fortune to charitable causes during their lifetimes.

Inside Bill Gates’ $150 Million Smart Mansion

Gates resides in one of the most iconic private homes in the world—Xanadu 2.0, his 66,000-square-foot mansion on the shores of Lake Washington in Medina, Washington. Purchased in 1988 for $2 million, Gates spent $63 million over seven years transforming the property into a high-tech estate.

The estate includes:

A 60-foot swimming pool with an underwater sound system
A 2,500-square-foot gym and 1,000-square-foot dining room
A library with secret bookcases and the Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci, which Gates bought for $30.8 million
A 6,300-square-foot underground garage
Over 52 miles of optic cables to control everything from lighting to digital artwork

The property is so large and advanced that it reportedly costs over $1 million in annual property taxes.

Personal Life

Gates married Melinda French on January 1, 1994. The couple, who divorced in 2021, have three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe. Despite their split, the two continue to co-manage their foundation.