Billionaire Warren Buffett stops donations to Bill Gates charity

Billionaire Warren Buffett halts contributions to Bill Gates' charity

Warren Buffett (L) had been a donor to Bill Gates' (R) foundation for two decades

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has ceased his donations to the charitable foundation of Bill Gates just weeks after the Microsoft co-founder disclosed his connections to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Buffett had made an "irrevocable" commitment in 2006 to donate shares from his company, Berkshire Hathaway, annually to what was then known as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation "throughout my lifetime."

However, on Thursday, the Gates Foundation was omitted from the list of organizations set to receive billions of dollars in stock.

Instead, the stock will be distributed among four foundations associated with Buffett's family. The 95-year-old indicated that he plans to distribute his remaining shares over the next eight years.

"Of course, mortality is unpredictable," Buffett remarked. "But my remaining shares will be donated to the four foundations one way or the other by December 31, 2034."

Gates' connection to Epstein came to light when the U.S. Department of Justice released documents in January.

Buffett did not specifically mention Gates or Epstein in his statement about his donations.

However, in March, he told CNBC that he had not communicated with Gates "since the whole thing was unveiled."

He added, "I don't want to be in a position where I know things... to be called as a witness."

The Gates Foundation has been approached for a comment.

In June, Gates testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding his relationship with Epstein, who died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

During his testimony, Gates stated that he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 under the premise that Epstein could raise billions for global health, a primary focus of the foundation.

"I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed," Gates explained.

Three years prior, Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution.

Gates told the committee, "I should never have met with Epstein in the first place. Based on what I know now, I understand that even if he had delivered the donors he promised, it would not have justified associating with him."

Buffett had been a strong supporter of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, expressing in 2006 that he "greatly" admired its achievements and committed to making annual donations.

In 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates along with Buffett initiated the Giving Pledge, which aimed to encourage extremely wealthy individuals to donate the majority of their wealth during their lifetimes or in their wills.

Bill and Melinda Gates divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.

Melinda French Gates resigned from the foundation she co-founded in 2024 and announced plans to donate $1 billion to support women's rights in the U.S.

Bill Gates stated that Epstein sought a personal relationship, but he "never reciprocated."

Bill Gates "took responsibility" for his ties to Epstein during a staff meeting, according to the foundation.

"Painful times in my marriage" - Melinda French Gates responds to ex-husband's connection to Epstein files.