Bill Gates' inheritance: only 1% of the estate to his children. Over a billion dollars to be divided among three

The three children grew up in Seattle and had access to the best education, but this should not be taken for granted, the entrepreneur emphasises. For Bill Gates, it is crucial to talk clearly with his children, starting with the family's wealth philosophy, in order to avoid misunderstandings and quarrels in the future:

"It is important to explain your vision to your children, to make them understand that you will treat them all equally and that they will have extraordinary opportunities." At the same time, "They need to know that the resources I have built must serve those who need it most. That's what the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is all about," Gates added.

In 1997, the then couple founded the eponymous Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropy giant with programmes in 134 countries. The two, married since 1994, divorced in 2021, but are aligned on the education to be given to their three children.

As revealed in an interview with Elle, Melinda French Gates even encouraged her children not to use the surname 'Gates' if they did not wish to, to avoid having their identity defined by family wealth. "I was trying to keep them grounded and make them understand that while they were different from many other families, they didn't have to think they were worth more because of it," Melinda explained.