Bill Gates Current Microsoft Ownership Percentage
As of the most recent SEC filings, Bill Gates directly and indirectly owns roughly 1.3 percent of Microsoft, according to latest proxy statements and insider reports SEC EDGAR Microsoft filings. His stake translates to more than 60 million shares, making him one of the largest individual shareholders in the company.
Gates' ownership is spread through Cascade Investment and other vehicles, which hold both Class A and Class B shares. Because Microsoft uses a dual-class structure, his voting power is higher than the raw percentage suggests, giving him outsized influence on major corporate decisions.
Historical Changes in Gates' Microsoft Stake
Over the past two decades, Bill Gates has steadily reduced his direct stake in Microsoft through sales and charitable giving. In the early 2000s, he held more than 40 percent of the company, but successive share sales and donations to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have lowered that figure significantly.
The most recent reduction came through planned sales coordinated with his philanthropic commitments, as disclosed in Form 4 filings Forbes Bill Gates Microsoft stake breakdown. Despite the decline, Gates remains a key strategic voice, especially on long-term technology and philanthropy alignment.
Comparison With Other Major Microsoft Shareholders
Institutional investors such as Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street hold larger stakes in Microsoft than Bill Gates does individually. These asset managers collectively control a significant portion of outstanding shares on behalf of index funds and institutional clients.
Gates' personal ownership is smaller than many assume, yet his influence extends beyond share count through board influence and long-standing relationships with Microsoft leadership. His Cascade Investment portfolio also includes stakes in other major tech and consumer companies, but Microsoft remains the single largest position Forbes Bill Gates Microsoft stake breakdown.