How Bill Gates spends $9 billion a year

How Bill Gates spends $9 billion a year

Author: TED March 21, 2024 Duration: 50:16

To get a free copy of the Infectious Generosity book, visit ted.com/generosity.

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is one of the top 10 richest people in the world. But since 2008, he has traded his day-to-day role with Microsoft to focus full-time on his foundation's work to expand opportunity around the world. Chris interviews Bill about his philanthropy philosophy and digs into the opportunities and challenges that face one of the largest private charitable foundations in the world. The two also discuss The Giving Pledge, the movement Bill co-founded with Warren Buffet, which encourages wealthy individuals to commit the majority of their wealth to charitable causes within their lifetimes. Chris and Bill examine the importance of solving the world’s most pressing problems efficiently, talk about why meaningful change requires scale and compare notes on how to best encourage collective excitement about giving back.

Transcripts for The TED Interview are available at: go.ted.com/TTIscripts.



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Head of TED Chris Anderson pulls up a chair for extended conversations with some of the world's most compelling minds on The TED Interview. This isn't a quick soundbite; it's a deeper exploration of the ideas that define our time, where guests have the room to unpack the nuances of their groundbreaking work. You'll hear the stories behind their discoveries, the challenges in their exploration, and thoughtful defenses of their perspectives when questioned. The discussions naturally span society, culture, and personal journeys, reflecting the wide-ranging curiosity of the TED stage. Each episode of this podcast offers a rare, unhurried look at how influential thinkers connect dots and see the world differently. The current season focuses on the theme of what makes generosity spread, examining the mechanisms and impact of contagious goodwill. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a substantive, revealing dialogue that goes far beyond a standard talk, providing both insight into fascinating ideas and the people who develop them.
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