Bill Gates could have been 'world’s first trillionaire' if he retained his Microsoft stock: Report 

Bill Gates's Microsoft ownership is at 0.9 percent stake, and valued at $28 billion, Forbes estimated. (Image credit: AFP)

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates could have been the world’s first trillionaire had he retained all his original company stock, a Forbes report revealed. This projection comes as Gates publicly reiterates his commitment to give away almost all his remaining wealth and wind down the Gates Foundation by 2045.

Bill and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, have already channelled $60.2 billion into the Gates Foundation since 2000, becoming America’s second-biggest philanthropists. Despite this, they remain among the world’s wealthiest, worth an estimated $113 billion and $30.4 billion respectively.

The trillion-dollar 'what if'Forbes calculated that if Bill and Melinda had never pursued philanthropy and held onto every Microsoft share, their combined fortune would be an estimated $1.5 trillion. In this hypothetical world, Gates alone would likely be the first trillionaire, commanding a $1.2 trillion fortune even after his 2021 divorce. This sum would be over triple Elon Musk's peak net worth. Melinda would be worth an estimated $300 billion, potentially the world's third-richest person.

Prior to Microsoft's 1986 IPO, Bill owned 11.2 million shares (a 49 percent stake worth about $200 million). Had he kept this, they would now possess 3.2 billion shares after splits, a 43 percent stake worth $1.4 trillion. An additional $100 billion from after-tax dividends would also be theirs.

Philanthropy over trillions
In reality, Bill Gates systematically sold and donated shares, diversifying his portfolio. Currently, according to Forbes, his Microsoft ownership is an estimated 0.9 percent stake, valued at $28 billion. Melinda's Microsoft shares are an estimated $ 380,000.

Through the Gates Foundation, the couple has distributed an estimated $47.7 billion for global health and poverty alleviation. Melinda has also launched Pivotal Philanthropies and committed an additional $12.5 billion for women’s and girls’ rights. Both remain committed to the Giving Pledge, which they co-founded with Berkshire Hathaway's chairperson Warren Buffett in 2010.

Gates wrote in his Giving Pledge Letter: “My parents taught me what generosity looked like... I decided that the vast majority of my wealth would go toward helping as many people as possible.” Melinda added: “I recognise the absurdity of so much wealth being concentrated... and I believe the only responsible thing to do with a fortune this size is give it away.”