If you look here:

https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/

Bill Gates is only the 5th richest.

…but the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has an endowment total of $75.2 billion.

So, his wealth ($149 billion) + foundation ($75 billion) = $224 billion.

So, my question is…can he spend that foundation money any way he wants instead of spending his personal money? If he wants a jet can he just use the foundation money? If so, then he is still the richest person in the world even though he does not get labeled as such in the news anymore.

  • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world
    133·
    8 months ago

    can he spend that foundation money any way he wants

    Yes and No. Yes, he can make the decisions. No, the purpose is somewhat limited.

    But since he created this foundation and defined it’s purpose, it will always do what he wanted to do anyway.

    instead of spending his personal money?

    Above some certain level, your personal expenses simply don’t matter anymore. You can throw money around all day long, but you cannot become poor again.