What does $31 billion look like??

(Photo: Gatesfoundation.org)

Wow, because that is what Warren Buffet is handing over to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - an amount equal to 85% of his net worth. The caveat is that Bill & Melinda must remain actively involved in the programs. What is amazing is Warren's quote "I don't believe in creating a dynasty of wealth....I don't believe that people who aspire to be democratic should not aspire to have a dynasty of wealth..." He continues to say that he doesn't believe people should gain a privileged position in society simply because they were born in the right place. (This is in response to a question by a reporter on what Mr. Buffet's children might have done wrong to not get this money).

Asked whether there is a trend in "doing good" Bill Gates commented that they would like to "Get more of the people who are super lucky to give back to the world" and that the Gates' will continue to try and show people that it is "fun" to do good.

The contribution will double the Gates Foundation endowment, and Bill and Melinda will have their work cut out for them to spend all this money.

For more information visit:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Footnote: Amidst all the questions of breadth vs. width of programmatic impacts of the Gates Foundation; how closely Mr. Buffet has worked with the Gates' family; how Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is taking the news of the development; the impact of the transaction on his company's stock; where his philantrophic interest comes from etc...the question from FOX NEWS had to be "Uh, Mr. Buffet, it seems cemented now that your children will not get the majority of your wealth, how did you break the news to them, and what did they say". Wow. Here is a man giving money to aid hundreds of millions of people, being asked what his three millionaire children, all of which I believe he said are in charge of their own billion-dollar foundations, said at not receiving more money that is even conceavably spendable by a large foundation such as the Gates'. Typical. Reminds me why I don't watch the news over here.