Warren Buffett redirects $140 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to four family foundations, ending 20-year Gates Foundation donations.
Warren Buffett transferred $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (BRK-B) to four family foundations on July 14, 2026, excluding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the first time in two decades. The move follows Buffett’s decision to end nearly $48 billion in cumulative donations to the Gates Foundation, citing Bill Gates’ ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Buffett’s total philanthropic commitment now stands at $200 billion, the largest in U.S. history, with $60 billion already distributed and $140 billion remaining. The new plan mandates all remaining shares be donated by December 31, 2034, replacing a prior arrangement that allowed distribution within 10 years of his death.
The shift reflects Buffett’s intent to finalize his estate planning, ensuring his fortune is allocated to family-led foundations rather than external organizations. The exclusion of the Gates Foundation marks a significant departure from a long-standing partnership.