[notheguyouthink]

Frankly, I'd love if Bill Gates had nearly zero at his death.

How amazing would it be for a man with that much wealth to set some aside for his children, whatever he thinks establishes their life and his duty to them, and then make it his goal to have nothing by the time he dies.

Set up foundations to kill hunger, diseases, etc. But as death approaches and the years drag on, really ramp up the giving.

"Bill Gates: Net worth $0" would make an amazing headstone for a man who spent the latter part of his life giving.

[opportune]

He has said that he intends to give each of his three children $10mm. That means he would be giving away over 99.9% of his wealth.

[dawnerd]

I thought about that a while back and I'm sure he'll setup some fund somewhere for them in case something happens to as a secret safety net. With their names and education alone they should be pretty well off, though.

[seunosewa]

I would give my children way more that 0.01% of my wealth if I was in his shoes. I would raise them to be respectable stewards of my wealth so they can grow the wealth and continue giving to charity long after I'm gone instead of ending everything within one generation.

[notheguyouthink]

True, perhaps that's the "best" way to do it - but I think I'd leave that up to my children. If they wanted to live the charitable life, work for the people so to say, then by all means.

But by default, I'd not want to put that burden on my children. In a perfect world (for me), I'd give them enough that enable them to do whatever they want, selfishly. I don't mean selfishly in the negative sense.. but from my perspective I'm giving them a gift. I want them to have a life without fear, worry, or struggle. If they wanted to live their entire life relaxed and on the beach, so be it - that's my gift to them.

If, instead, they wanted to manage billions of dollars, focusing on making money to give money like a non-profit, then great! But that's not a "gift" I'd give anyone, more of a job, from my perspective.