Bill Gates has made a name for himself as a philanthropist and tech titan, but imagine if he’d kept every share of Microsoft (MSFT). It turns out, he’d be a whole lot richer. Forbes reports that Gates, along with his ex-wife Melinda, could have a combined worth of $1.5 trillion today if they’d never given away a dime or sold a share of Microsoft.
Gates Becomes a Trillionaire in an Alternate Reality
In an alternate universe, Gates would have become the world’s first trillionaire with a fortune topping $1.2 trillion, more than triple the net worth of Elon Musk. Melinda would have likely been the third richest person globally, with an estimated $300 billion. That’s a lot of zeroes—especially when you consider how much their wealth shrank after the couple’s divorce.
Retaining Microsoft Stock Would Have Yielded $1.4 Trillion
If Gates had stuck to his 11.2 million shares in 1986, he’d now own 3.2 billion shares of Microsoft, which would be worth an eye-popping $1.4 trillion today. Throw in another $100 billion or so from dividends, and Gates and Melinda would be sitting on a cash pile that’s bigger than the combined net worth of nearly 2,000 billionaires.
Gates Chooses Philanthropy over Wealth Accumulation
But Gates chose a different path. He sold and gave away his Microsoft stock, leaving him with only 0.9% of the company today, worth about $28 billion. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the couple has given away a staggering $47.7 billion. This decision may have cost him a spot as the world’s richest man, but it also earned him the title of one of the most generous philanthropists in history.
Gates and Melinda Redefine Their Legacy
Despite stepping away from Microsoft in 2008, Gates has committed to giving away almost all of his wealth. This aligns with his vision, shared with Melinda, of a world where wealth isn’t hoarded by a few. He writes, “The only responsible thing to do with a fortune this size is give it away.” Gates and Melinda’s philanthropic efforts have already had a massive impact, and they’re not done yet.
In the end, Gates’ wealth may not define his legacy. His lasting impact on the world is rooted in how he’s used his fortune to help millions. But still, it’s interesting to think about what could have been—if he’d held onto every last Microsoft share.
Is Microsoft a Buy, Hold, or Sell?
Microsoft’s stock remains a top pick for investors, with an overwhelming “Strong Buy” rating from analysts. In the past three months, 35 analysts have rated the stock, with 30 giving it a “Buy” recommendation. The average 12-month MSFT price target is $506.31, representing a 15.6% upside from its current price of $438.17. This robust analyst confidence shows us the continued investor interest and confidence in Microsoft’s future.
