Warren Buffett Excludes Gates Foundation from Donations Over Epstein Ties, Accelerates Wealth Pledge
Warren Buffett, 96, omitted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from his annual $6 billion Berkshire Hathaway stock donation for the first time since 2006, redirecting funds to four family foundations. He also accelerated his plan to give away his entire $140 billion+ fortune by 2034, citing disclosures of Bill Gates’ ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Buffett has not spoken to Gates in months, and the Gates Foundation is reviewing its past engagement with Epstein.
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Buffett Reveals He Initiated Berkshire's Alphabet Stake, Downplays Gates-Epstein Link in Donation Cut
In a CNBC interview, Warren Buffett made two unexpected revelations. First, he downplayed the role of Bill Gates' ties to Jeffrey Epstein in his decision to end future donations to the Gates Foundation, instead citing his children's demonstrated ability to responsibly give away wealth. Second, he revealed that he personally initiated Berkshire Hathaway's $30 billion position in Alphabet (Google), a move widely attributed to CEO Greg Abel. Buffett called Gates' Epstein associations 'distasteful' but said everyone makes mistakes, noting he had read Gates' congressional testimony on the matter. Over 20 years, Buffett donated nearly $48 billion to the Gates Foundation while also giving $18 billion to his children's foundations.
US Top News and AnalysisTwo unexpected revelations in Warren Buffett's CNBC interview
In a CNBC interview, Warren Buffett downplayed the role of Bill Gates' ties to Jeffrey Epstein in his decision to end future donations to the Gates Foundation, instead citing his children's demonstrated ability to responsibly give away wealth. He also revealed that he personally initiated Berkshire Hathaway's $30 billion position in Alphabet (Google), which many had attributed to CEO Greg Abel. Buffett described Gates' Epstein connections as 'distasteful' but said everyone makes mistakes, and noted he had read Gates' congressional testimony on the matter. Over 20 years, Buffett donated nearly $48 billion to the Gates Foundation and $18 billion to his family's foundations.
US Top News and AnalysisWarren Buffett Is Disposing of His Berkshire Shares. Here's How.
Warren Buffett announced a plan to accelerate the disposal of his Berkshire Hathaway shares, aiming to give away all his stock within about eight years. He owns approximately 188,000 Class A shares and over 1,100 Class B shares, worth about $150 billion. His remaining shares will be donated to four foundations: three run by his children and one dedicated to his late wife. Notably, Buffett is skipping his annual donation to the Gates Foundation, citing Bill Gates' past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, and will wait for the Gates Foundation's review before resuming gifts. The article also includes a promotional segment from The Motley Fool recommending other stocks over Berkshire Hathaway.
Yahoo FinanceWarren Buffett Gives Away $6 Billion in Berkshire Stock, Plans to Donate $138 Billion More by 2034
Warren Buffett, the 95-year-old chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, donated approximately $6 billion of Berkshire Class B stock this week, distributing 9 million shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 1 million each to three foundations run by his children. This brings his total lifetime donations to over $47 billion. Buffett plans to fully donate his remaining stake, worth about $138 billion, by December 31, 2034. The article explains the mechanics of converting Class A shares to Class B shares for donation, the gradual dilution of Buffett's voting power (currently 30.2%), and the implications for Berkshire's governance. The scheduled annual donations of roughly $17 billion per year are manageable given Berkshire's $1.1 trillion market cap and $373 billion cash reserves. The transition represents a slow, pre-announced handover of control to CEO Greg Abel, with no single shareholder expected to hold a controlling grip by the mid-2030s.
Yahoo FinanceBuffett says decision to stop Gates Foundation donations not a surprise
Warren Buffett, 95, announced he will stop donating to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ending a two-decade philanthropic partnership. The decision came after revelations about Bill Gates' interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including the release of U.S. Department of Justice files in February 2026 and a Congressional investigation. Buffett had donated over $47 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to the foundation since 2006. In a CNBC interview, Buffett said he reevaluated his situation after reading Congressional findings and that his decision did not surprise Bill Gates, who he spoke with three weeks prior. Instead, Buffett will donate nearly $6 billion in Berkshire shares to four family foundations run by his children. Gates has repeatedly expressed regret for his association with Epstein and has not been accused of crimes.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Warren Buffett Calls Bill Gates' Epstein Association 'Distasteful,' Excludes Gates Foundation from Donations
Warren Buffett publicly criticized Bill Gates' association with Jeffrey Epstein as 'distasteful' but said people make mistakes, after excluding the Gates Foundation from his annual charitable stock donations for the first time in 20 years. The 95-year-old Berkshire Hathaway chairman redirected this year's donations—worth approximately $4.5 billion—to four family-linked foundations, including the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and foundations run by his three children. Buffett said he extensively reviewed Gates' relationship with Epstein before overhauling his giving, but emphasized the decision was primarily about placing more responsibility in his children's hands. He noted he and Gates remain in contact, having spent three hours together in Omaha three weeks ago. Since 2006, Buffett has donated over $47 billion in Berkshire stock to the Gates Foundation.
US Top News and AnalysisBuffett's Final $140 Billion Trade: Here's Where All His Stock Is Going, and Who Got Left Out
On July 14, 2026, 95-year-old Warren Buffett committed to giving away all his remaining Berkshire Hathaway shares, worth over $140 billion, to four family foundations by December 31, 2034. He immediately donated $6 billion in Class B stock, with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation receiving the largest share ($4.4-4.5 billion). For the first time since 2006, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was excluded, receiving nothing. Buffett cited Bill Gates' disclosed ties to Jeffrey Epstein as the reason for ending nearly $48 billion in donations over two decades. The plan sets a hard deadline regardless of Buffett's death, replacing the previous 10-year post-death distribution plan. Buffett has pledged 99.5% of his estate to philanthropy, calling it the largest philanthropic commitment in American history at $200 billion total, with $60 billion already given.
Yahoo FinanceBuffett's Final $140 Billion Trade: Here's Where All His Stock Is Going, and Who Got Left Out
On July 14, 2026, 95-year-old Warren Buffett committed to giving away all his remaining Berkshire Hathaway shares, worth over $140 billion, to four family foundations by December 31, 2034. He immediately donated roughly $6 billion in Berkshire Class B stock, split among the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation ($4.4-4.5 billion), and the Sherwood, Howard G. Buffett, and NoVo Foundations (each ~$500 million). For the first time since 2006, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation received nothing, which Buffett attributed to Bill Gates' disclosed ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This ends nearly $48 billion in donations to the Gates Foundation over two decades. Buffett's total philanthropic commitment of $200 billion is the largest in American history, with $60 billion already given and $140 billion still pledged. He retains voting control through his remaining Class A shares.
Yahoo FinanceBillionaire Warren Buffett stops donations to Bill Gates charity
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has ceased his annual donations to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, according to multiple news reports. The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Bill Gates' past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Buffett, who had pledged to give away most of his fortune to the Gates Foundation, reportedly found Gates' meetings with Epstein 'distasteful' but acknowledged that people make mistakes. The move marks a significant shift in the philanthropic relationship between two of the world's wealthiest individuals, who had been close friends and collaborators for years. The Gates Foundation has not publicly commented on the development.
Top stories - Google NewsWarren Buffett Ends $48 Billion Philanthropic Relationship with Gates Foundation
Warren Buffett is quietly ending his long-standing philanthropic partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, after donating approximately $48 billion to the organization. The 94-year-old investor is now directing his remaining fortune to charitable organizations run by his own family members, marking the end of one of the largest philanthropic relationships in history. The decision comes amid revelations about Buffett's past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, which reportedly strained his friendship with Bill Gates. The move represents a significant shift in the landscape of billionaire philanthropy, as Buffett had previously pledged to give away most of his wealth through the Gates Foundation.
Fortune | FORTUNEWarren Buffett accelerates charitable donations, aims to give away Berkshire wealth by 2034, excludes Gates Foundation
Warren Buffett is accelerating his annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway shares, giving nearly $6 billion to four family foundations. He aims to dispose of all his Berkshire shares within eight years, by December 31, 2034. The donations exclude the Gates Foundation, ending a lifetime pledge that began in 2006. The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation receives $4.5 billion, while foundations run by his children each get nearly $500 million. Buffett, turning 96 next month, still holds over $140 billion in Berkshire stock. The accelerated pace implies annual gifts of at least $17 billion, more than double last year's $7 billion. The move follows a review of the Gates Foundation's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
US Top News and AnalysisWarren Buffett Cuts Ties with Gates Foundation Over Epstein Links, Redirects $6 Billion to Family Charities
Warren Buffett has redirected his annual $6 billion charitable donation away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to four foundations run by his own family, citing disclosures of Bill Gates' ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Berkshire Hathaway chairman also announced a binding deadline of December 31, 2034, to donate his entire remaining fortune of over $140 billion, accelerating his previous plan which allowed distribution within 10 years of his death. Buffett and Gates, once exceptionally close friends who vacationed together and served on each other's boards, have not spoken in months. Gates has denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing, but appears multiple times in Justice Department documents related to Epstein. The Gates Foundation has hired an investigator to assess its past engagement with Epstein and review vetting policies. Buffett expressed amazement at Epstein's ability to exploit powerful people's weaknesses.
Fortune | FORTUNEWarren Buffett Omits Gates Foundation from Annual Donations After Epstein Ties Disclosed
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has omitted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from his annual charitable donations for the first time since 2006, following disclosures of Bill Gates' ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Buffett announced on July 14, 2026, that he will donate approximately $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to four foundations connected to his own family, including the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and foundations run by his three children. The move accelerates a plan Buffett announced in 2024 to cut off donations to the Gates Foundation after his death. Buffett, who previously defended Gates, said he has not spoken to Gates in months since Epstein files were released in fall 2025. Gates denies knowledge of Epstein's crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing. Buffett also stated he wants all his remaining Berkshire stock, worth over $140 billion, donated to charity by the end of 2034.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Warren Buffett says he'll donate his entire Berkshire fortune 'one way or another' by 2034
Warren Buffett, the 96-year-old Berkshire Hathaway chairman, announced plans to donate virtually all of his remaining wealth, worth nearly $150 billion in Berkshire stock, by 2034. In a news release, he stated his goal to dispose of all his Berkshire shares within about eight years, with his children overseeing distribution to four family foundations by December 31, 2034. Notably, for the first time in two decades, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was excluded from his latest $6 billion summer gift, following a review of its ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The donation comprises 12 million Class B shares, with the bulk going to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and smaller portions to foundations run by his three children. Buffett, who has given away over half his wealth since 2006, emphasized that mortality is unpredictable and his entire estate will be disbursed during his children's lifetimes.
All Content from Business InsiderWarren Buffett Excludes Gates Foundation from Annual Berkshire Stock Donations
Warren Buffett has omitted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from his annual charitable stock gifts for the first time in nearly two decades, instead directing all of this year's donations to four family-linked foundations. Berkshire Hathaway announced that Buffett will donate 9 million Class B shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 1 million shares each to the Sherwood Foundation, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and the Novo Foundation. Since 2006, Buffett has donated over $43 billion worth of Berkshire stock to the Gates Foundation. The omission follows reports that Buffett is awaiting the outcome of a review into the Gates Foundation's ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a March interview, Buffett said he had not spoken with Bill Gates since the matter was unveiled and indicated he would not resume conversations until it is cleared up. This marks a break from Buffett's 2006 pledge to make annual gifts to the Gates Foundation throughout his lifetime.
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