Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of other things. However, for Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder who is worth $168 billion (per Bloomberg), admits he enjoys the advantages of being rich. It’s not just about luxuries like mega mansions around the world (he owns only the $130 million Xanadu 2.0 megamansion), the superyachts (he got rid of the $645 million Project Breakthrough and the $59 million Wayfinder), or flashy baubles, none of which he’s ever known to flaunt. According to the world’s sixth-richest man, the real perk of being wealthy is freedom from everyday financial stress.
Interestingly, Gates became a billionaire back in 1987, meaning he’s been financially worry-free for nearly 40 years. That must feel like bliss, and he has no qualms admitting it. In a 2019 Reddit AMA, when asked whether being a billionaire made him happier than if he had been middle class, Gates responded: “Yes. I don’t have to think about health costs or college costs. Being free from worry about financial things is a real blessing.”
That’s not to say he believes one needs to be a centibillionaire to be happy. For him, freedom from financial stress is the real boon, and in his view, just a billion should do the trick. That’s roughly what he’s leaving his children, 1% of his $168 billion fortune, or $1.68 billion, split three ways. Each will receive around $560 million, a modest sum by billionaire standards.
His kids have had a solid upbringing and bright futures, thanks to some pragmatic parenting from the 68-year-old tech tycoon and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. Not only is he leaving his children a modest inheritance by billionaire standards, but he also has no interest in keeping the bulk of his wealth for himself. Gates has pledged to give away most of his fortune.
According to VN Express, as co-founder of the Giving Pledge alongside Warren Buffett, he urges billionaires to donate at least half their wealth to charitable causes. Clearly, he’s a man who practices what he preaches.In a world of hoarded fortunes, Gates stands out not just for how much he’s made, but how much he’s determined to give away.
