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Bill Gates isn’t leaving his children as much of his money as one might think. The Microsoft cofounder, who shares kids Jennifer , 28, Rory , 25, and Phoebe , 22, with ex-wife Melinda French Gates , explained why his next of kin will only inherit a small fraction of his massive fortune as he reflected on how wealthy families pass down their assets. “Everybody gets to decide on that,” he said on the March 29 episode of the Figuring Out with Raj Shamani podcast.
“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education but less than one percent of the total wealth.” While that fraction would still represent a significant windfall—Bill’s net worth is estimated at $108 billion as of 2025, according to Forbes , meaning one percent would be over $1 billion—the 69-year-old reasoned that leaving his children anything more “wouldn’t be a favor to them.” “It’s not a dynasty,” he continued.
“I’m not asking them to run Microsoft. I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success, be significant and not overshadowed by the incredible luck and good fortune I had.” But the philanthropist—who co-founded The Gates Foundation with Melinda in 2000—also noted that transparency has been an essential part of his estate planning.
“You don't want your kids to ever be confused about your support for them and your love for them,” he continued. “So I do think explaining, early on, your philosophy that you’re gonna treat them all equally and that you’re gonna give them incredible opportunities, but that the highest calling for these resources is to go back to the neediest through the foundation.” As for Melinda, who divorced Bill in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, she previously shared another way she and her ex allowed their kids to blaze their own trails: allowing them to choose whether or not to use “Gates” as their last name.
“I just tried to keep them in the real world and point things out to them as much as possible,” she told Elle in March. “We had real discussions about how our family was different, but you shouldn’t think any more of yourself because of that.” Keep reading to see where Bill and Melinda stand among the most expensive celebrity splits.
.. The golf star's reputation was shattered when news broke about his adulterous behavior with not one, not two, but dozens of women.
He and his wife, Swedish model Elin Nordegren , officially divorced in August of 2010 after being married for nearly six years and having two children together. Tiger reportedly handed over a whopping $750 million(!) in their divorce, although the final settlement was undisclosed. "Love Don't Cost a Thing.
.." Or does it? After Cris was hired to direct this music video for J.
Lo, the pair married in September of 2001. However, the singer-actress filed for divorce from her husband and former choreographer after less than a year of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. Although they settled for an undisclosed amount, there are numerous reports J.
Lo shelled out $14 million. Oh Mel..
.in one of the priciest Hollywood divorces to date, Robyn Gibson, Mel's wife of 28 years reportedly received half of Mel's $850 million net worth , thanks to no prenuptial agreement. The couple had seven children together and according to E! News reports, the longtime duo spent two years ironing out their settlement.
Leave it to Madge to break tradition—in this case, it was the wife dolling out cash to her ex-hubby. After seven years of marriage, Madonna and Ritchie called it quits in 2008, and lucky for Guy, the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement. The price tag? Between $72 million and $92 million, the pop icon's spokeswoman said at the time.
Paul McCartney & Heather Mills From the church to the courtroom...
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills said their "I do's" in 2002, but called it quits just four years later in 2006. Following a slew of legal battles, Mills reportedly received nearly $48.7 million of Paul's fortune when their divorce was finalized in 2008.
In addition, Heather allegedly received an addition $70,000 a month for their then 4-year-old daughter Beatrice . Donald and Ivana married in a lavish ceremony in 1977, but divorced in 1992 amidst rumors of his reported affair with former beauty queen Marla Maples . After three children and 15 years together, Ivana reportedly received $20 million, although the settlement remains sealed by courts.
Oh, the troubles of young love. College sweethearts Kevin and Cindy married in 1978 when the two were both still in school and divorced 16 years later in 1994. They had three children together, Annie , Lily and Joe .
Cindy reportedly received $80 million in the settlement. Neil reportedly fell in love with the TV producer while he was still married to his first wife, Jane Posner. Marcia married the singer-songwriter in 1969, had two of his children, sons Jesse and Micah, filed for divorce 25 years later, citing irreconcilable differences, and walked away with half of Neil's earnings—$150 million.
However, Neil isn't bitter; he later said that "she's worth every penny." After 17 years together and an attempt at reconciliation, basketball star Michael Jordan and his wife, Juanita, officially divorced in 2006. The duo tied the knot in 1989 in Las Vegas and have three children together.
In a massive divorce settlement, Michael reportedly shelled out $168 million. Country crooner Kenny Rogers is no stranger to divorce—he's been married five times—but the most expensive split was with his fourth wife, Marianne Gordon. After 16 years of marriage and one child together, the couple divorced in 1993 and Rogers reportedly shelled out a cool $60 million.
Lionel Richie and Diane Alexander, a former dancer and fashion designer, called it quits in 2003 after seven years, two kids and a slew of irreconcilable differences. In Diane's alimony petition, she reportedly claimed a monthly clothing allowance of $15,000 as well as a plastic surgery budget of $20,000 a year. The payout? An estimated $20 million from Richie.
Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin The businessman married his fourth wife in June of 2000 after meeting the actress at a Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty. Their marriage ended in 2006. Ellen reportedly received an "enormous" settlement and also allegedly made more than $20 million when she sold off jewelry Ron had once given her.
On again...
off again...
on again...
then off again for good. The actress dated the director briefly in the late ‘70s—breaking up to momentarily date Willie Nelson, her costar in the film Honeysuckle Rose —and married Steven in 1985. Unfortunately, the flame was only rekindled for four years, and in 1989, the two divorced and Amy reportedly walked away with a $100 million settlement.
Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison After 18 years together and a brief attempt at reconciliation, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison called in quits in 2001. The couple—who have two children together—officially dissolved their marriage in 2004. After two decades together, no prenup and millions at stake, Melissa reportedly received a whopping $118 million of Harrison's cash.
Alex Rodriguez & Cynthia Scurtis Alex and Cynthia called it quits in 2008 after six years and two children together. The final settlement in the multi-million dollar case remains undisclosed. The Oscar-winning actor married the daughter of an Austrian diplomat, who was 19 at the time, in 1977, and had a son with her a year later.
In 1995, Diane filed for divorce and reportedly received a $45 million settlement, as well as a share in projects related to work Michael did while they were together. Hulk & Linda Hogan After 23 years of marriage and two children, daughter Brooke and son Nick , Linda filed for divorce from her husband when she heard of the professional wrestler's affair with 33-year-old Christiane Plante . Linda reportedly received an agreement worth over $30 million, including more than 70 percent of the couple's liquid assets, a handful of luxury cars, $3 million property settlement and 40 percent ownership in his companies.
The Rolling Stones frontman married the model in 1990. Jerry filed for divorce in 1999 after she discovered Mick fathered a child with Brazilian model Luciana Morad . But after nine years together, Jerry was allegedly awarded $25 million in their divorce settlement.
The Daytona 500 winner married Brooke in 1994, only to divorce eight years later in 2002. Although the former couple didn't have any children together Jeff still coughed up a hefty settlement—a reported $15 million..
