The world’s second richest man, Bill Gates, has revealed the two “craziest” decisions he ever made in terms of buying stuff.
Gates is the founder of Microsoft and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and is the world’s second-richest person with an estimated fortune of $91.8bn, according to Bloomberg’s index.
Gates officially became a billionaire when he was 31 — the youngest billionaire in history, at the time. But the boost to his bank account didn’t send him on a spending spree, Gates said during a media interview.
“I don’t have many things that are extravagant taste, so it didn’t change too much,” Gates said, adding that his primary concern at the time was being able to pay his employees, many of whom had families to care for.
“So, you didn’t say ‘Oh I’m going to buy a Porsche?’” he was asked.
“I did — that I did,” Gates said. “That was an indulgence, and then eventually for my travel, I got a plane, which is a huge indulgence, so those are my two.”
“So, you have a Porsche and a plane and that’s it?” he was asked.
“In terms of crazy things, yes,” he said.
Gates has previously referred to his private jet as a “guilty pleasure” and “big splurge.” It has been widely reported that he owns a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express with seating for up to 19 people — and bought for $40m.
Gates also said he has a trampoline room in his home, a $125m mansion in Medina, Washington, which is less than one mile from fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos.
“We have a trampoline room in our house. The kids like that. An indoor trampoline — I recommend it,” he said.
It may not come as a surprise that Gates isn’t one for opulence. He and his wife Melinda are incredibly focused on philanthropy, having donated more than $2b in 2016 to causes related to global health and development and US education.
source: Punch
