On one hand, Bill Gates is so frugal that he wears a $10 Casio watch; on the other, the Microsoft co-founder didn’t hesitate to pay $42,000 in fines, charged at $250 a day, for wrongly placing a manure bin on his daughter’s $8.7 million Florida stables.

He may have earned the title of the world’s most frugal billionaire (after Warren Buffett), proudly donning a $10 watch and steering clear of fancy wardrobes or luxury cars. He may have even decided to limit his three children, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, to inheritances of no more than $10 million each.

But when it came to nurturing his growing kids’ hobbies and passions, tech tycoon Bill Gates spared no expense. Supporting Jennifer Gates’ elite equestrian dreams was no exception, and the billionaire didn’t hesitate to indulge in her affluent pursuit of horse jumping.

A decade ago, when Bill Gates held the title of the world’s richest person with a net worth of $76 billion, he made headlines for his extraordinary support of Jennifer’s passion. The doting father purchased a stunning $8.7 million horse farm in the exclusive equestrian town of Wellington, Florida, when Jennifer was just 15. Known as the epicenter of the equestrian world, Wellington is home to the Winter Equestrian Festival, the largest horse show globally, and hosts over 40 competitions annually.

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However, even the world’s wealthiest face occasional hiccups. Gates reportedly paid $42,000 in fines to the Village of Wellington due to a technical violation involving an incorrectly installed manure storage bin at the estate, which housed 20 horses and featured extensive training grounds. The fines accumulated at $250 per day, a mere drop in the ocean for Gates but a testament to his unwavering support for Jennifer’s dreams.

Gates’ generosity didn’t end with the farm
He went as far as spending $1 million on her first rookie competition, chartering private jets to shuttle the family between Washington and Florida. He also rented a sprawling 8-bedroom mansion on a 7,300-square-foot estate in Wellington for six months at a staggering $600,000, ensuring Jennifer had access to world-class facilities. The property, valued at $12.9 million, came equipped with everything an aspiring equestrian could need. Additionally, Gates leased four premium horses and hired top trainers to support her relentless practice.

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While the fine for the manure bin might seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, it underscored Gates’ commitment to fostering his eldest daughter’s ambitions. His efforts demonstrate a father’s devotion to empowering his child to pursue her passion, no matter the price tag.