If You Ask Me: Not all Billionaires are Alike

The tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, is an unusual character who isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but, when it comes to philanthropy, it’s hard to fault him, writes Flo Whitaker

In 2000, Bill Gates and his then wife, Melinda, set up the Gates Foundation; a charitable organisation that succinctly demonstrates how many of life’s problems can be solved - if you just throw enough money at them. To date, the Foundation, assisted by the philanthropic financier Warren Buffett, has stumped up $100 billion and has the global eradication of malaria in its sights. 

Over the next twenty years, another $200 billion will be invested into health and social projects. In a recent interview, a relaxed- sounding Gates chuckled at the thought he was now demoted to 5th place on the global rich list. Despite eventually giving away 99% of his wealth, he will remain financially comfortable. In an ironic twist, donating vast sums has not been an entirely straightforward process, as compound interest generates ever-more millions each day. 

Bill and Melinda Gates clearly subscribe to the notion, ‘You can’t take it with you’. This outlook comes as a refreshing cool breeze when compared to the stench that continuously wafts from the White House; proof, as a friend observed, that if you polish a pile of manure and decorate it with sequins and rosettes - desperate people will vote for it. 

Don’t be fooled; most of the Trump gang are not overly bright, (Elon Musk isn’t a ‘genius engineer’ – he’s never invented anything in his life), but they are masters at quickly gauging the vibe in the room, spotting weaknesses and creating chaos as they blind authorities with flurries of court subpoenas and ‘Catch Me if You Can’ chases, before swiftly moving on to the next dodgy deal. 

We should not be surprised at any of this. Donald Trump; convicted felon, failed bankrupt, failed human being – but star of prime-time reality television, promised us a blockbuster show, and he’s delivered. It’s called The Sopranos go to Washington.