Bill Gates is the American co-founder of Microsoft and chair of the Gates Foundation. According to Forbes’ real-time billionaires list, his net worth is an estimated $118.2 billion as of October 28, 2026, ranking him 16th in the world.
Bill Gates net worth: quick facts
| Full name | William Henry Gates III |
|---|---|
| Net worth | $118.2 billion (Forbes real-time estimate, October 28, 2026) |
| Age | 71 |
| Date of birth | October 28, 1955 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Co-founder of Microsoft, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founding Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, giving away tens of billions |
What is Bill Gates’s net worth in 2026?
Forbes’ real-time list showed Gates at $118.2 billion as of October 28, 2026, placing him 16th in the world. He spent more than two decades at or near the top of the rich list before ceding the crown, and his current rank reflects both market moves and the scale of his giving.
How Bill Gates made his money
Microsoft created Gates’ original fortune, while sales and dividends funded the diversified Cascade Investment portfolio. Bloomberg attributes most of his wealth to Cascade holdings. Forbes estimates his Microsoft stake below 1%; Bloomberg uses a different share-count approach, so the trackers’ assumptions should remain visible rather than imply a single fully disclosed balance sheet.
How the net worth estimates compare
| Publisher | Estimate | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Forbes real-time | $118.2 billion | October 28, 2026 |
| Bloomberg Billionaires Index | $119 billion | October 28, 2026 |
These independent trackers use different methods and ownership assumptions. The small overall gap does not mean every underlying asset estimate agrees.
Reported earnings figures
- Bloomberg values Microsoft interests at $34.3 billion and cash assets at $21.9 billion in its October 28, 2026 snapshot, alongside holdings such as Republic Services and Deere. These are asset values, not annual income.
- Forbes estimates less than 1% Microsoft ownership after major 2022 share donations. Its estimate should not be silently combined with Bloomberg’s separate assumptions.
- Forbes reports more than $63.9 billion donated to the Gates Foundation on the page read October 29, 2026. Historical giving is not a liability to subtract again from remaining wealth.
Reading these figures
Microsoft was the source of the initial wealth, but diversified investments now matter greatly. Dividends, share-sale proceeds and the value of stocks purchased with those proceeds should not be counted twice. Foundation assets are separate from personal assets, and a future giving pledge does not mean every promised transfer has already occurred.
Bill Gates career and earnings timeline
- 1975: Microsoft founded with Paul Allen, per Forbes.
- 2008: Leaves day-to-day Microsoft work, per Forbes.
- 2020: Leaves Microsoft board, per Forbes.
- 2022: Major Microsoft share donation cited by Forbes.
- October 2026: Forbes and Bloomberg estimate $118.2 billion and $119 billion respectively.
FAQs
What is Bill Gates’ net worth?
Forbes estimates $118.2 billion and Bloomberg $119 billion in October 28, 2026 snapshots.
Is all his wealth still Microsoft stock?
No. Bloomberg says most comes through diversified Cascade Investment holdings, funded from Microsoft proceeds.
Do both trackers use identical Microsoft ownership?
No. Forbes estimates less than 1%, while Bloomberg’s valuation uses its own share assumptions.
Should lifetime donations be subtracted again?
No. Current wealth estimates reflect remaining assets; subtracting historical giving again would double-count.
Sources
About the Author
Jason Liam writes about celebrity net worth on Sneaky Insights. He loves exploring the stories behind the fortunes: the career breakthroughs, businesses and endorsements that helped famous names build their wealth. His favorite part is looking beyond the headline number to tell the story of how the money was made.
