Omaha, Nebraska – July 14, 2026 — In a major shift in his long-standing philanthropy, Warren Buffett has stopped donating to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The billionaire investor is instead directing his annual mid-year gift of roughly $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to four family-controlled foundations.
The decision follows recent public revelations about Bill Gates’ past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this year.
Buffett’s Latest Donation Details
Buffett announced he is donating 12 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock, valued at approximately $6 billion, as part of his routine mid-year charitable giving:
- 9 million shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (led by his daughter Susie)
- 1 million shares each to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation, and NoVo Foundation (overseen by his sons Howard and Peter)
This marks the first time in nearly two decades that the Gates Foundation has been excluded from Buffett’s annual Berkshire stock gifts.
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Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, has redirected his annual charitable giving away from the Gates Foundation.
Historical Context: Billions in Past Giving
Since 2006, Buffett pledged to donate the bulk of his Berkshire Hathaway fortune to the Gates Foundation during his lifetime. The foundation had already received more than $47 billion in Berkshire stock from Buffett. Last year’s donation alone exceeded $4.5 billion.
Buffett, now 95, has repeatedly stated his goal of giving away nearly all his wealth while he is still alive. In today’s announcement, he noted: “Of course, mortality is unpredictable, but my remaining shares will be donated to the four foundations one way or the other by December 31, 2034.”
Connection to Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein
The move comes after renewed scrutiny of Gates’ past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In February 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released files containing photos and emails linking Gates and Gates Foundation staff to Epstein. In June 2026, Gates testified before Congress, stating he “did not fully understand the extent” of Epstein’s crimes at the time of their association.
Earlier reports indicated Buffett had paused his usual donation to the Gates Foundation while awaiting the outcome of an internal review. In a March 2026 interview, Buffett confirmed he had not spoken with Gates “at all since the whole thing was unveiled.”
Bill Gates has faced renewed questions about his past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein.
Why This Matters
Buffett’s decision represents a significant break from one of the most prominent philanthropic partnerships in modern history. The Gates Foundation, co-founded by Bill and Melinda French Gates, has been a major global force in public health, education, and poverty alleviation.
The four family foundations now receiving the full donation focus on causes including:
- Reproductive health
- Global hunger and conflict mitigation
- Early childhood education in Nebraska
- Support for marginalized girls, women, and indigenous communities
Public and Market Reaction
The news spread rapidly on social media, with prediction market platform Polymarket highlighting the development in a “JUST IN” post that quickly gained traction.
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No immediate comment has been issued by the Gates Foundation. Berkshire Hathaway also declined additional comment beyond Buffett’s statement.
What’s Next for Buffett’s Giving
Buffett has long planned to distribute the remainder of his Berkshire shares by the end of 2034. Today’s announcement accelerates the shift of his philanthropy toward foundations run directly by his children.
This development underscores how personal associations and past controversies can influence even the largest philanthropic commitments in the world.
Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge on the long-term impact of this historic pivot in Buffett’s giving strategy.
