Gates Foundation to Close Early After $200B Pledge

Bill Gates has announced plans to donate 99% of his wealth—over $200 billion—through the Gates Foundation, which will close by 2045, moving up its end date from after his death. The foundation's final years will focus on eradicating diseases like polio and malaria, reducing maternal and childhood deaths, and addressing poverty, with Gates highlighting artificial intelligence as a key factor in achieving these goals. The decision comes as global health and development funding declines, particularly following significant US foreign aid cuts under the Trump administration. Gates criticized Elon Musk for supporting such cuts, warning they could lead to millions of preventable deaths. Melinda French Gates has recently stepped down from the foundation to pursue her own philanthropic work, reflecting positively on its legacy. Gates hopes his approach will encourage more rapid and impactful philanthropy from others.