Buffett Omits Gift to Bill Gates’ Foundation After Epstein Tie Disclosures

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has excluded the Gates Foundation from his annual multibillion-dollar charitable donations for the first time in two decades, marking a significant shift in one of the world’s most prominent philanthropic partnerships. The decision follows public disclosures surrounding Bill Gates’ past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, although Gates has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes or any criminal wrongdoing.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Buffett announced that he would donate approximately $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four foundations connected to his family instead of including the Gates Foundation, which has received more than $47 billion from Buffett since 2006. This year’s donations will be distributed among the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation, all of which are managed by members of Buffett’s family.

The omission is particularly striking because Buffett and Gates were once among the closest figures in global philanthropy. Together, they co-founded the Giving Pledge, encouraging the world’s wealthiest individuals to commit the majority of their fortunes to charitable causes. Buffett also served on the Gates Foundation’s board before stepping down in 2021 following the divorce of Bill and Melinda French Gates, though he continued making annual donations afterward.

The latest decision comes after renewed scrutiny of Gates’ past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. Gates recently testified before U.S. investigators regarding his interactions with Epstein, reiterating that he deeply regretted meeting the disgraced financier and maintaining that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. Gates has not been accused of any crime related to Epstein, and no charges have been brought against him.

According to Buffett, he has not spoken with Gates since revelations about those associations became public. He indicated that he wanted to avoid placing the Gates Foundation in a position where future investigations or public controversies could overshadow its charitable work. The billionaire also expressed concern about Epstein’s ability to deceive influential people over many years.

Despite being excluded from this year’s donation, the Gates Foundation thanked Buffett for his decades of support, noting that his contributions have helped finance major initiatives in global health, disease prevention, education and poverty reduction. The foundation emphasized that it remains financially strong, supported by Gates’ commitment to donate 99% of his personal wealth and by its long-term endowment. It has also commissioned an independent review of any historical interactions between the foundation and Epstein.

Buffett used the announcement to reaffirm his broader philanthropic plans, saying he intends to donate all of his remaining Berkshire Hathaway shares; currently valued at more than $140 billion, by the end of 2034. The accelerated timetable is designed to ensure that his children oversee the distribution of his fortune during their lifetimes rather than after his death.

The decision has generated widespread discussion in financial and philanthropic circles. Some observers view it as a symbolic distancing from Gates amid reputational concerns, while others note that Buffett has not accused Gates of criminal misconduct and has framed the move as part of a broader effort to simplify his charitable legacy. The development nevertheless marks the end of one of the most influential philanthropic partnerships of the 21st century.