This article doesn't go there, but many before it have made a big deal about Gates' endless selling of Microsoft stock. The fact that it's still a headline, points to the sensationalism that has surrounded this topic for years.
Gates no doubt cares a lot about Microsoft's well being, but much like Jobs, he doesn't need stock to exercise his influence. His #1 task financially these days (the last decade plus), is to protect his $80 billion in wealth. Articles like to sensationalize the selling for clicks, but it's strictly logical to diversify out of his formerly concentrated MSFT position, and to ultimately balance risk vs returns, with the goal in mind to maximize how much wealth he can give away through the foundation.
Given his priorities, having $13 billion (16% of his net worth) tied up in Microsoft is still a sizable concentration. I would suspect he'll sell that down to $4 to $8 billion before eventually holding a token position (for him). I also expect Ballmer will shortly begin a modestly aggressive plan to reduce his Microsoft position.
Nobody knows what Bill Gates did with all of the money he got selling his MSFT shares over time, just that he put them into Cascade Investments - his investment vehicle. Very odd that you never read about him buying stock or companies or real estate. If he's invested that money well, he could be worth a hell of a lot more than Forbes estimates.
Gates no doubt cares a lot about Microsoft's well being, but much like Jobs, he doesn't need stock to exercise his influence. His #1 task financially these days (the last decade plus), is to protect his $80 billion in wealth. Articles like to sensationalize the selling for clicks, but it's strictly logical to diversify out of his formerly concentrated MSFT position, and to ultimately balance risk vs returns, with the goal in mind to maximize how much wealth he can give away through the foundation.
Given his priorities, having $13 billion (16% of his net worth) tied up in Microsoft is still a sizable concentration. I would suspect he'll sell that down to $4 to $8 billion before eventually holding a token position (for him). I also expect Ballmer will shortly begin a modestly aggressive plan to reduce his Microsoft position.