Bill Gates Net Worth Drops to $124 Billion in 2025, Slips from Top 10 Billionaires

Sharp Decline in Wealth

In early July 2025, Bill Gates’ net worth plunged by roughly $51–$52 billion, falling from about $175 billion to approximately $124 billion. This recalculation reflects his accelerated charitable giving rather than market losses.

Dedication to Philanthropy

Gates reaffirmed in May that he’s committed to donating 99% of his wealth over the next two decades, aiming to disburse nearly all before closing his foundation by December 31, 2045. He continues to emphasize he does not want to "die rich."

Ranking Repercussions

• The drop pushed Gates out of the top 10 richest globally, repositioning him at 12th place in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

• He was overtaken by Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO, now estimated at $172 billion, along with industry leaders like Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.

The Bigger Giving Picture

• Gates and his former wife, Melinda French Gates, have donated around $60 billion to the Gates Foundation.

• Under his guidance, the foundation plans to donate over $200 billion by 2045, advancing global efforts in healthcare, education, and poverty reduction.

• Analysts note the Foundation held about $77 billion in endowment as of end‑2024.

Global Impact

This philanthropic wave continues Gates’s longstanding mission to tackle urgent global challenges—focusing on disease eradication, educational initiatives, and support to underserved regions, particularly in Africa.

Quick Summary

This change marks a major shift: not a loss in asset value, but a reflection of Gates’s determination to give away nearly all he owns instead of passing it down. Let me know if you'd like a comparison with other billionaires or more insights on his foundation's global projects.