The founder of Microsoft and the world's fourth richest man Bill Gates has said he is ready to donate $20 billion to help the world's most in need of help and claims that his long-term goal is to remove himself entirely off the global rich list through charitable donations.
In a statement from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a foundation Gates set up with his now ex-wife Melinda, he said that $9 billion a year will be spent on innovations to prevent pandemics, reduce child mortality, and halt climate change.
The statement reads:
"These innovations will not come in time to avoid the problems altogether, but the faster we move, the less people will suffer. For many people including myself this is the most concrete way of contributing, even when it seems modest compared to the scale of the problems. Focusing on being part of the solution is better than giving up in despair."
Gates said last year that he would donate $15 billion following the breakup with his wife, whose divorce settlement made her one of the richest women in the world.
Melinda's own foundation added:
"Bill and Melinda are fully committed to continuing to work constructively together at the Foundation to advance its program and policy objectives."
Bill Gates currently has a personal wealth of around $114 billion, making him the 4th richest person in the world.
He said in an interview that his long-term goal is to give away most of his wealth and that this would be his greatest achievement, the multi-billionaire stated:
"My giving this money is not a sacrifice at all. I feel privileged to be involved in tackling these great challenges, I enjoy the work, and I believe I have an obligation to return my resources to society in ways that have the greatest impact for improving lives. I hope others in positions of great wealth and privilege will step up in this moment too."
There have been increasing calls following the pandemic and economic downturn for the mega-rich to be taxed more heavily in order to create greater equality and alleviate poverty.
[Based ib reporting by: NBC NEWS]
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