Bill Gates's philanthropy reshapes billionaire rankings

Business Jul 05, 2025

Bill Gates just took a big hit to his billionaire status—his net worth fell by $52 billion after Bloomberg factored in all the money he's given away to charity.
That 30% drop bumped him from 5th to 12th place on the world's richest list, putting him behind ex-Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, who now sits at number 5.

Gates is serious about giving back

This update isn't just about numbers—it shows how serious Gates is about giving back.
He and Melinda have already donated $60 billion through their foundation, aiming to give away almost everything by 2045.
With plans to spend over $200 billion on global health and poverty, Gates's approach is shaking up how we think about wealth (and who stays on top).