Warren Buffett is putting his customary mid-year contribution to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on hold as an outside review into the foundation’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein continues, according to people familiar with his thinking.
The 95-year-old chairman of Berkshire Hathaway intends to defer a final decision on the donation until later in the year and may wait until the release of his Thanksgiving letter to make his plans public, these sources said.
The Gates Foundation has come under increased scrutiny because of questions about Bill Gates’ association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019. In January, the U.S. Justice Department made public emails that showed exchanges between Epstein and staff at the Gates Foundation, heightening attention on the charity’s past contacts with him.
In response to the scrutiny, Mark Suzman, the foundation’s chief executive officer, commissioned an external review to evaluate the organization’s historical interactions with Epstein. The foundation has indicated that the review’s findings are expected to be completed this summer.
Buffett has been a major benefactor to the Gates Foundation over the past two decades. In that period he has donated more than $47 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to the foundation.
Bill Gates, 70, has not been charged with any crime in relation to Epstein. Gates has publicly expressed regret over any connection with Epstein and has stated repeatedly that he never observed criminal conduct by Epstein.
Context and implications
The pause in Buffett’s routine donation underscores how reputational issues tied to third-party relationships can influence philanthropic timing. The outcome of the independent review will be a central factor in when and whether the chairman proceeds with the customary transfer of Berkshire Hathaway shares.
At present, the timeline for Buffett’s decision is conditional on the completion of the outside review and the information it produces. Until the review is finalized and its results are public, the Gates Foundation will face continued scrutiny over its historical interactions with Epstein.
Additional details
- Buffett’s decision to delay the donation was described by people familiar with his plans, who said the timing could extend to his annual Thanksgiving letter.
- Mark Suzman ordered the external review to examine past interactions between foundation staff and Jeffrey Epstein.
- The Justice Department’s release of January emails revealed correspondence between Epstein and foundation personnel.