Bill Gates' Net Worth in 2024: A Look at His $156 Billion Fortune

Bill Gates' Net Worth in 2024: A Look at His $156 Billion Fortune.

What is Bill Gates' net worth?

Bill Gates is a well-known American billionaire, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist with a net worth of $156 billion. You might think most of his wealth comes from Microsoft, the company he co-founded, but that's not entirely true. He currently holds about 103 million shares of Microsoft, which, at a price of $370 per share, amounts to around $38 billion of his total net worth.

The rest, over $100 billion, comes from a wide range of investments and assets managed through his investment firm, Cascade Investments. We'll dive deeper into Cascade later, but it's worth noting that Bill is the majority owner of Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts and the largest private farmland owner in the U.S.

When Microsoft went public back in 1986, Bill had a 45% stake in the company, while Steve Ballmer had 8% and Paul Allen held 25%. By 2000, Bill's share had dropped to 14% due to stock sales, and now he owns just under 1.4% of Microsoft, which is about 103 million shares. Interestingly, he’s no longer the largest individual shareholder; that title goes to Steve Ballmer, who owns around 4% today. Thanks to Microsoft's annual dividend of $3 per share, Bill rakes in about $309 million each year, while Ballmer collects nearly $1 billion.

Over the years, Bill has raked in almost $60 billion from selling stocks and dividends, mainly from Microsoft and other investments. This cash flow has fueled Cascade Investment LLC, which he uses to invest in a ton of companies, including a whopping 270,000 acres of farmland in the U.S.

He also holds major shares in public companies like Apple, Canadian National Railway, Republic Services, Ecolab, Waste Management, and Berkshire Hathaway. Plus, Cascade owns the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

From 1997 to 2008, Bill was pretty much the richest guy on the planet without a break. He swapped the top spot with Carlos Slim for a few years but then took back the title until July 2017, when Jeff Bezos from Amazon passed him. In the past ten years, Bill has consistently been among the top five richest people in the world.

Microsoft started out as a chat between two childhood buddies, Bill Gates and Paul Allen. They managed to charm their way into an interview with MITS, the company behind the Altair 8800 computer, and convinced them to create and sell their interpreter. In 1975, MITS rolled out Altair BASIC, which kicked off their success and led to the founding of their own company, Microsoft. By 1977, they opened their first international office in Japan and moved their main office to Washington state.

In 1980, they snagged a deal to create an operating system for IBM, giving birth to MS-DOS. From the mid-80s to the mid-90s, Microsoft became a tech giant, and after going public in 1986, 12,000 employees became millionaires, with four of them hitting billionaire status. However, they also faced several anti-trust lawsuits for practices that seemed to dominate the computer market.

The mid-90s saw them expand their product lineup, including networking and web applications like the well-known Internet Explorer browser. In 2000, Bill Gates stepped down as CEO, and Steve Ballmer, a long-time team member, took the reins. Nowadays, Satya Nadella is at the helm.

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Early Life

William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. As a kid, he faced bullying and often preferred the solitude of his room, where he would exclaim, "I'm thinking," whenever his mom asked what he was up to. At 13, he started attending the private Lakeside prep school, where he created his first software program.

He was in eighth grade during his first year there, and thanks to the school's Mother's Club, they purchased a Teletype Model 33 ASR terminal and access to a GE computer for the students. Gates got hooked on programming the GE computer using BASIC and developed his first program—a tic-tac-toe game that allowed players to compete against the computer.

However, he and his friends, Paul Allen, Ric Weiland, and Kent Evans, ended up getting banned from the school's computer after they were caught taking advantage of bugs in the system to score extra time. This led the four of them to start the Lakeside Programmers Club to make some cash.

Once their ban was lifted, the boys decided to hunt for software bugs in exchange for some extra computer time. Gates started diving into the code for various programs, including Fortran, Lisp, and machine language. In 1971, a teacher at Lakeside asked Gates and Evans to help automate the school's class scheduling system.

They created the software, but Gates added a little twist—he tweaked the code so he could be in classes with more interesting girls. The duo aimed to have the new system ready by their senior year. Tragically, at the end of their junior year, Evans died in a mountain climbing accident. Gates then turned to Allen to help wrap up the project for Lakeside.

During their senior year, Gates and Allen launched a company called Traf-O-Data, creating traffic counters using the Intel 8008 processor. Gates graduated from Lakeside School in 1973 and started at Harvard that fall. While at Harvard, he took math and advanced computer science courses and met Steve Ballmer. However, Gates dropped out at the end of his sophomore year.

Interesting Facts

His net worth hit over $350 million when Microsoft went public back in 1986. By 1987, he became a billionaire at just 31 years old. In 1999, his net worth was around $100 billion, which is equivalent to about $153 billion today when you factor in inflation.

If he hadn't donated a single dollar to charity, his worth would be around $175 billion now. His mansion in Seattle is massive, boasting 66,000 square feet and valued at $147 million.

Since 2003, he's raked in at least $50 billion from Microsoft dividends. Currently, he owns about 1.3% of Microsoft.

He plans to donate 99.96% of his wealth to charity before he passes away and is said to be leaving each of his three kids just $10 million.

Microsoft

When the MITS Altair 8800 hit the market, powered by the Intel 8080 CPU, it was the perfect opportunity for Gates and Paul Allen to kickstart their own software company. MITS, the brains behind the new microcomputer, teamed up with Gates and Allen, who had developed an Altair emulator for a minicomputer, along with the BASIC interpreter. They officially registered the name Microsoft on November 26, 1976. In the early days of Microsoft, Gates was hands-on, checking every line of code that went out the door and often making changes himself. Then, on November 20, 1985, they rolled out the first retail version of Microsoft Windows.

Fast forward to 1986, Microsoft went public with an initial stock price of $21. By the end of that trading day, shares closed at $27.75, making Gates' 45% stake worth a whopping $350 million. Just under a year later, after a stock price boom, he became a billionaire at the age of 31.

On June 15, 2006, Gates announced he would be stepping back from his daily responsibilities at Microsoft over the next couple of years to focus more on his philanthropic efforts.

On March 13, 2020, Gates announced he would step down as Microsoft's Chairman.

Cascade Investments

Over the years, Bill has raked in over $50 billion from dividends and stock sales, which he funnelled into Cascade Investment, his private investment firm. Nowadays, Cascade is said to manage more than $200 billion in assets, spread across a wide-ranging and impressive investment portfolio. Some of its biggest and most notable investments include:

Farmland: Cascade Investment is the top farmland owner in the U.S., with 269,000 acres held through various shell companies. This investment has performed well even when the stock market hasn't.

Technology Stocks: Cascade has major stakes in leading tech firms, with its biggest investments being in Apple Inc. and Microsoft.

Equity Holdings: The five largest publicly known equity holdings of Cascade Investment include Canadian National Railway, Republic Services (a waste management company), Ecolab (a disinfectant producer), Femsa (a beverage group), and a few others that aren't specifically listed.

Berkshire Hathaway: The largest chunk of Cascade's portfolio is in Berkshire Hathaway, making up over 50% of its assets. Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate with a mix of businesses, including insurance, energy, and retail.

Waste Management: The second-largest investment is in Waste Management, a company that specializes in waste disposal and environmental services.

Four Seasons: Starting in 2007, Bill and Cascade teamed up with Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal in a roughly 50/50 partnership to control 70% of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts brand. In September 2021, Bill and Cascade bought out Prince Alwaleed's $2.21 billion stake, boosting their ownership to 71.3% and valuing the hotel chain at $10 billion.

Personal Life

In 1987, Melinda French joined Microsoft’s product development team. During a work dinner, she ended up sitting next to Bill, and they really clicked. Before long, Bill was asking her out. Melinda climbed the ranks to become the General Manager of Information Products and worked at Microsoft until 1996.

Bill and Melinda tied the knot on January 1, 1994, at a golf course in Lanai, Hawaii. They have three kids: Phoebe Adele, Rory John, and Jennifer Katharine.

In 1994, Gates bought the Codex Leicester, a collection of Leonardo da Vinci's scientific writings, for a whopping $30.8 million at an auction.

In 2000, Gates and Melinda merged three family foundations to establish the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is now the largest openly operated charitable foundation globally.

On December 9, 2010, Bill, Melinda, and investor Warren Buffett all signed the Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of their wealth to charity over time.

Bill Gates' Incredible Seattle Mansion

Bill Gates' family has quite the collection of stunning properties across the United States, and he probably has some impressive places overseas too, though details on those are a bit scarce.

In Washington, he owns an incredible mansion known as "Xanadu 2.0." He bought this lakeside gem in 1988 for $2 million and then poured $63 million and seven years into building what’s now one of the most remarkable private homes in the world. To ensure more privacy, he also snagged some neighboring properties for an additional $14 million.

The mansion showcases a modern "Pacific lodge" style, packed with both classic and cutting-edge features. When constructing Xanadu 2.0, every piece of timber and woodwork was meticulously crafted, with a strong focus on acoustics. They used over seven different types of stone, and every floor is heated, including the walkways and driveway. A total of 300 workers were involved in the project, with a hundred of them being electricians.

Perched on a hillside with a view of Lake Washington in Medina, the main house spans a whopping 66,000 square feet. The estate boasts a 60-foot swimming pool equipped with an underwater sound system, a 2,500-square-foot gym, a 1,000-square-foot dining room, six kitchens, and a grand dining hall that can accommodate 200 guests. One wall features 24 video screens that merge into a massive display. There’s also a cozy dining room of 1,000 square feet that seats 24 by a fireplace.

The home is loaded with automation, featuring over 52 miles of fiber optic cables. Family members and guests receive microchip tags that adjust the settings in each room they enter, controlling lighting, temperature, music, and even the artwork displayed on digital screens. Each room is equipped with its own touchpad for complete control.

Security is top-notch, with hidden cameras and floor sensors throughout the property. You won’t find any visible electrical outlets, and every door handle was custom-made, costing around $2,000 each. Some interior doors are so heavy they weigh over 800 pounds but are perfectly balanced for easy use.

Bill Gates' home is packed with some pretty cool features. He has a unique domed library that includes two hidden bookcases, one of which cleverly conceals a bar. The pool house is massive at 3,900 square feet and boasts a swimming pool that measures 17 by 60 feet.

Plus, it has an underwater sound system for some chill vibes while swimming. There's also an underground parking area that spans 6,300 square feet, accommodating ten cars, along with two garages above ground. As a big book lover, Gates has a quote from The Great Gatsby engraved on the ceiling of his expansive library, which houses some priceless works, including pieces by Da Vinci. The mansion's annual property taxes are around $1.063 million, based on an assessed value of $150 million.

More Bill Gates Real Estate

Rancho Santa Fe, CA: Back in October 2014, the Gates family dropped $18 million on a sprawling 228-acre ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, California, close to San Diego. They purchased it from weight loss mogul Jenny Craig. Known as "Rancho Paseana," this horse ranch is perfect for Gates' daughter Jennifer, who loves to ride. The place features a racetrack, an orchard, five barns, and even a suite for a full-time vet.

Del Mar, CA: Fast forward to April 2020, Bill and Melinda shelled out $43 million for a gorgeous oceanfront mansion in Del Mar, California, just about 15 minutes from their Rancho Santa Fe property. They bought it from the widow of the late oil tycoon and investor T. Boone Pickens.

Wellington, Florida: In 2013, Gates picked up a second horse ranch in Wellington, Florida, for $8.7 million. The family had stayed at the mansion multiple times while attending Jennifer Gates' competitions and loved it so much that they decided to buy it.

Cody, WY: In 2009, Gates acquired a 492-acre ranch in Cody, Wyoming, for an undisclosed amount. This ranch, once owned by the legendary William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, was initially listed for $12 million and had dropped to $8.9 million right before Bill made the purchase. It’s had only three owners in about 150 years.

Commercial Properties: Through his investment firm Cascade, Gates has stakes in several high-profile hotels. He has a share in the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and owns about half of all Four Seasons hotels globally. Along with a group of investors, he also has a stake in the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco.

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Bill Gates's Net Worth Over Time

1. In March 1986, Microsoft went public, and by the end of its first trading day, Bill Gates held 45% of the company he had co-founded a decade earlier, which boosted his net worth to $350 million.
2. By 1987, Bill Gates became the youngest self-made billionaire in the world, thanks to the rising excitement around the software industry that sent Microsoft's stock soaring, bringing his wealth to $1.25 billion.
3. The launch of Windows 3.0 in 1990 was a game-changer for Microsoft, with nearly two million copies sold by year-end. This milestone made Microsoft the first personal computer software company to hit over $1 billion in annual sales, and Bill famously aimed to have "Windows everywhere."
4. In 1995, as Microsoft's stock price climbed, Gates' fortune skyrocketed to $14.8 billion, especially after the release of Windows 95, which sold over a million copies in just four days.
5. By 1997, Gates' wealth had more than doubled, reaching $39.8 billion, making him the richest person in the world, with a staggering $19 billion lead over Warren Buffett.
6. The tech stock boom in 1999 pushed Bill's net worth to an impressive $85 billion, marking a more than $25 billion increase from the previous year—about $3 million every hour. At one point, he even surpassed $100 billion.
7. However, in 2000, Gates experienced his first major drop in wealth as the tech bubble burst and antitrust issues affected Microsoft's stock. He stepped down as CEO, handing the reins to Steve Ballmer.
8. By 2008, Gates was no longer the richest person for the first time in 13 years, falling to third place behind Warren Buffett and Carlos Slim Helu. He decided to leave his full-time role at Microsoft to focus on philanthropy.
9. His net worth continued to fluctuate, with figures of $40 billion in 2009, $53 billion in 2010, $63.4 billion in 2011, and $76 billion in 2014. By 2020, it had climbed to $110 billion, and in 2023, it reached $138 billion.
10. In 2024, his wealth is projected to drop to $15 billion

Bill Gates' journey from a curious child to the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world's wealthiest individuals is a testament to his brilliance and work ethic. He not only transformed the tech world but also embraced philanthropy, vowing to donate the majority of his wealth to improve global health and education.

Through his foundation and investments, Gates continues to make a significant impact on society. His diverse portfolio, including his stake in farmland and the Four Seasons, alongside his strategic foresight in tech, reflects a legacy that extends far beyond Microsoft, shaping the future for generations to come.