What Is Bill Gates Really Invested In? His Foundation's Top 5 Holdings Reveal Everything

With a net worth exceeding $100 billion, Bill Gates doesn’t just sit on cash—he strategically deploys capital through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. While Gates doesn’t personally manage day-to-day decisions, his fingerprints are all over the foundation’s investment picks. Here’s where the billionaire’s money is actually going.

The Big Picture: How Gates’ Foundation Allocates Billions

The foundation’s portfolio tells a fascinating story about what Gates believes in for the long term. Across roughly two dozen positions, five holdings dominate the allocation—and they paint a clear picture of his investment philosophy.

Microsoft Remains the Crown Jewel

At approximately $15 billion, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the undisputed anchor of the portfolio, representing roughly one-third of total holdings. This isn’t accidental. Gates co-founded the company in 1975 and built his fortune on that original stake. While he’s gradually trimmed this position over the years, his continued confidence in the software giant is unmistakable—it’s the single largest bet the foundation is making.

Berkshire Hathaway: The Buffett Connection

The second-largest holding at around $10 billion is Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), representing approximately 20% of the portfolio. This signals more than just financial conviction. The investment reflects a deep personal relationship between Gates and Warren Buffett, built over decades of mutual respect. Beyond the personal connection, Berkshire’s track record as a wealth-creation machine speaks for itself—this is a company that has consistently delivered for long-term investors.

The Industrial Trifecta: Three Unglamorous Winners

Rounding out the top five are three positions that might raise eyebrows: Waste Management (NYSE: WM), Canadian National Railway (NYSE: CNI), and Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT).

The clustering in industrials is deliberate. All three share what investment legends like Buffett actively seek: durable competitive advantages, strong brand equity, and decades-long operational histories. These aren’t flashy technology plays—they’re the boring infrastructure businesses that power economies. And that’s exactly the point.

What This Portfolio Says About Gates’ Investment Style

The foundation’s allocation reveals a core philosophy: bet on proven business models with staying power, prioritize economic resilience over growth hype, and maintain exposure to both innovation (Microsoft) and steady-state essential services (infrastructure and utilities). This is old-money wealth preservation mixed with calculated conviction in enduring market winners.

The key takeaway? Gates’ foundation isn’t chasing trends. It’s building a portfolio designed to generate returns across market cycles—and apparently, that means trusting in the fundamentals.