Gates Foundation Sells Entire Microsoft Stake for More Than $3 Billion

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has long used its Microsoft holdings to support charitable programs, while the assets also symbolized Bill Gates' deep ties to the company he co-founded. The foundation plans to cease operations in 2045 and is therefore adjusting its portfolio to ensure ample liquidity for future charitable spending.

The foundation trust sold its remaining Microsoft shares during the first quarter of 2026, from January 1 through March 31, reducing its stake to zero and raising about $3.2 billion in total. The sale is part of the foundation's long-term financial planning and does not mean Bill Gates has fully exited Microsoft. He personally continues to hold a substantial number of Microsoft shares.