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Despite Over $130 Billion Net Worth, Bill Gates’s Decision to Exclude Jennifer Gates and Other Kids From His Fortune Still Stands After Six Years: “Have to Find Their Own Way”

Published 03/16/2023, 8:34 AM EDT

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What must it feel like to be born in the household of one of the wealthiest families in the world? After looking at the way Jennifer, Phoebe, and Rory Gates turned out, it is quite clear that the philanthropist-cum-Microsoft-co-founder did an amazing job at parenting with his now ex-wife. Bill and Melinda Gates split their time raising three children alongside dedicating themselves to raising their namesake foundation. However, the incredible fortune the former couple generated over the years will not go to their children as inherited wealth. It would instead be put to better use, believes Gates.

In 2017, during his appearance on This Morning, Bill Gates spoke to host Holly Willoughby about this topic. He said then, that it is far more important his kids find their own path. But they will continue to remain a pair of proud and supportive parents to their three children.

Bill and Melinda Gates pull all strings in giving their kids a great life

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In the interview, Willoughby confronted Gates with the proposition he made about not leaving behind their wealth for their children. It both surprised and divided the world. Gates replied, “Well, our kids will receive a great education, and some money… they’ll never be poorly off. They will go out and have their own career,” before moving on to the crux of the discussion.

He continued, “It’s not a favor to kids to have them have huge sums of wealth because it distorts anything they might do, creating their own path, and this money is dedicated to helping the poorest.” Very few can question the parenting methods of Bill and Melinda Gates. They have given their kids ample opportunities, good education, and a good life to pursue their passion. While Phoebe and Rory Gates are still younger, their eldest, Jennifer Gates could follow her passion for equestrian sports with the help of incredible support from her father.

Needless to say, their belief in the potential harms of inherited wealth is reflected directly in their parenting method. Gates, who pushed his daughter to go to medical school, also bought an estate in Wellington, Florida for her to train to be an equestrian. In fact, he spent $1 million just to help her daughter pursue her dream of being an equestrian at age 15.

They have bigger plans to help the world

While financial support has been ample towards their kids, the stored wealth is put to different, more effective uses such as charitable causes around the world. The foundation has already donated millions of US dollars around the globe in an attempt to decrease the spread of deadly diseases.

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Steve Jobs and Bill Gates Daughters are Also Arch Rivals but Not in the World of Tech

Of many other causes, it also created the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a seed vault in the middle of a snow-covered landscape in Norway. This would help regenerate grains and food in case of any global calamity or world hunger.

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Bill and Melinda Gates nurtured this foundation with as much care as anything else. So, their kids, mature that they are, travel with them, see their efforts, and understand them. However, they need not worry about their future at all as Gates confirmed in that interview, “Well we are gonna leave a little bit behind”.

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Written by:

Tanmay Roy

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Tanmay Roy is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. He has done MBA and B.Tech in Civil Engineering.
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Edited by:

Jahnabi Choudhury