As a good friend and student of Buffett, Gates felt very anxious. He is worried that Buffett's long-term behavior will seriously endanger his health. Gates and his wife Melinda have been discussing for a long time, and they are going to help their good friends out of their grief. In the summer of 2005, after Melinda's repeated persuasion, Buffett finally agreed to travel with Gates to the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River in China. Seeing the wonders of nature before the closure of the Three Gorges is also one of the reasons why Buffett is tempted.
On the night of the luxury ferry on the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, Buffett looked at the stars that fell into the turbulent river, and his heart was filled with emotion. Such a beautiful scenery is about to disappear. Compared with this majestic nature, how small is human life? This reminds him of Susan, who was most eager to be a philanthropist before her death. She also promised to satisfy her wish after Susan's death, but Susan suddenly left ... A burst of sadness flooded Buffett's heart, and tears swirled in his old eyes. That night, he chatted with Bill Gates. All night, they talked about their careers, families, life and society. When discussing the meaning of life, they are all confused. Buffett especially said to Bill: "The scientific and technological progress you promoted has changed human life, and I just made a bunch of useless money." Gates said, "I have only improved the lives of the rich, but I have hardly helped the poor." Buffett said, "I have no energy to help others, Bill. Let's reach an agreement. You will realize our wishes and help those who need help. " Finally, the two agreed to continue their charity activities after returning to the United States.
On June 25th, 2006, Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the world, announced a worldwide explosive news that he would donate $37 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation of Bill Gates, the richest man in the world. At that time, Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, was worth about $50 billion, while Warren Buffett, the "stock god", was the second richest man in the world with a wealth of $44 billion. People can't imagine why Warren Buffett donated his huge wealth to a charitable foundation run by the richest man in the world. In addition to the century contract of the Three Gorges Night on the Yangtze River, the friendship between the two mythical business giants has lasted for 15 years.
15 years ago, at that time, 36-year-old Gates was already the youngest billionaire in the world. That spring, Gates received an invitation to attend the CEO party on Wall Street, and the speaker was Warren Buffett. Bill, he has heard of Buffett for a long time. In his impression, Buffett is stubborn and stingy, making a fortune by investing. Bill Gates casually threw the invitation aside and said, "He just promoted his investment theory and outdated economics." Gates' mother said, "I think you should listen to it. He may just make up for your shortcomings. " Gates listened to his mother the most in his life. He accepted her persuasion and finally decided to attend the party.
As soon as I entered the conference room, a friend introduced Buffett to Gates, 6 1. Buffett is 25 years older than Gates. In his eyes, Gates was just lucky and made money by fashionable things. He looked at Gates haughtily and said, "You are a very lucky young man in legend." Hearing this, Gates bowed briefly and said, "I really want to learn from my predecessors."
It was this turn that made Buffett change his prejudice against Gates. Buffett and Gates sit together and talk about their childhood and their views on the world economy. The two men were surprised to find that they had many similar experiences. Gates has been known as a prodigy since he was a child. And Buffett 1 1 years old owned his first stock with his father's pocket money ... They had too much in common, all started from scratch, were keen on taking risks, and were not afraid of making mistakes ... Unconsciously, more than an hour passed. At the urging of the host, Buffett went to the podium and said into the microphone: "At the beginning of the speech,
199 1 one summer night in, Gates lost sleep because of overwork, so he took out a magazine from the shelf, and a title on the cover caught his attention: "Should you leave all your wealth to your children?" The author turned out to be Buffett with three children, and Gates immediately read it carefully. Soon, between the lines, Gates fell into deep admiration for Buffett. Buffett pointed out in the article: "Wealth should be given back to society in a good way, not left to children. I firmly believe that heritage will only do more harm than good to children. Great wealth will not only make them lazy and lazy, but also help those who really need help. " Gates' heart is full of this sentence. He used to know that Buffett was a very thrifty person, commonly known as "the miser", but today, he saw the real Buffett.
At 5 o'clock in the morning, after a sleepless night, Gates drove to the parking lot under Buffett's office building. At 7 o'clock, Buffett's car slowly pulled into the parking lot, and Gates got out of the car and excitedly held Buffett's hand and said, "Your article kept me awake all night. For the first time, I realized that holding everything in my hand may be the biggest mistake! " Buffett is extremely excited. After this article was published, almost everyone was satirizing Buffett, thinking it was pretentious elegance. However, Gates understands his wealth philosophy and art. Buffett gave Bill Gates a big hug. He finally found a bosom friend. Although he is 25 years younger than himself, Buffett is deeply admired and moved by his wisdom and talent. The two soon became good friends. Buffett appreciates Gates' youth, and Gates respectfully calls Buffett his life mentor.
In the interaction with Buffett, Gates learned how to get along with his wife from the old man. Buffett works outside all the year round and is with his wife, but the relationship between husband and wife is very deep. His wife Susan not only keeps the house in good order, but also educates three children. At that time, the influence of Microsoft Group was growing, but Gates, who was busy with his work, felt that there seemed to be something wrong with the small family he and his wife Melinda had created, and the relationship between husband and wife was getting colder and colder.
August 5th every year is the annual gathering day for the CEO of Microsoft's top industries, and the CEO meeting of 1993 is scheduled to be held in Egypt. At the end of July, Gates personally called Buffett, and Buffett hesitated for a moment before accepting the invitation. Buffett's hesitation made the cautious Gates feel uneasy. He thought something must have happened to Buffett, otherwise he would be happy to attend the annual meeting held by Microsoft.
Putting down the phone, he immediately sent someone to Buffett's house to have a look. It turns out that Buffett's wife's high blood pressure has been committed again. Buffett originally wanted to spend time with his wife at home, but in the face of a friend's kind invitation, he agreed. When Gates learned Buffett's secret, he was deeply moved. When a lover is in danger, stay by her side. This is probably the meaning of marriage. He is determined to do something for them.
On August 4th, all the CEOs gathered at the airport. Buffett arranged his wife and arrived at the airport on time. In the waiting room, Buffett suddenly saw Gates pushing a wheelchair. The person in the wheelchair is Susan! Gates looked at Buffett with a surprised face and said with a smile, "Susan is also a member I want to invite to attend this meeting." Buffett can't help but be moved to be speechless.
The friendship between Buffett and Gates has deepened unconsciously and has become a rare best friend in business. Buffett even publicly told the media many times that the person who knows him best in this life is Bill Gates.
/kloc-0 One day in 998, Gates, who had two children, went to Buffett's house to play bridge. Gates complained: "I really didn't expect that managing children is much more painful than making money." Buffett shook his head and said with a smile, "I have three children myself, but I think children are cuter than anything else." You should treat them as another self and a mirror. I bet children will affect your growth and maturity. In a sense, they are your managers, coaches and people who encourage you ... "
It turns out that from the birth of the first child, Buffett began to record the growth of children, writing a book every year, a total of nearly 30 books, recording the dribs and drabs of children's growth and his experience in educating children. So the diary has become something that Bill Gates often reads after work. Their happy marriage deeply touched Gates, who was skeptical about marriage. Gradually, Bill Gates shifted the focus of his life from work to family. His relationship with his wife Melinda is getting more and more harmonious, and he often takes time to take his children out to play.
1998 65438+On February 24th, a snowy day, Buffett received a beautiful Christmas card from Bill Gates' wife Melinda, which read: "He no longer lives for himself, but for the people he loves. Gates is so lucky to have a friend like you! " Holding a greeting card, Buffett smiled. He is glad to help his good friend Bill Gates.
1994 By 2000, Gates was ranked as the richest man in the world by Forbes for six consecutive years. Faced with huge wealth, 36-year-old Melinda decided to donate $65,438 billion to the African people. Gates not only supported his wife's charity action, but also accompanied her to Africa. They set up the Gates and Melinda Gates Foundation, which returns at least $654.38+0 billion to the society every year. Suddenly, the whole world was in an uproar. This is by far the biggest personal charity in the world, but Gates just said, "Buffett and my wife taught me to do this."
After 2000, the Gates' total charitable donation in three years has reached $654.38+0.5 billion, far exceeding their plan. In 2003, newspapers reported the kindness of the Gates. Their charitable actions have made Buffett ups and downs. At the age of 73, Buffett picked up a pen and wrote an undisclosed will. The first sentence is: "After I die, please use 99% of my property for charity." In fact, Buffett originally intended to leave all his legacy to his wife after his death, and she would donate it to charity. However, I didn't expect Susan to die before Buffett.
After returning from the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, Bill pondered the matter over and over again. After arranging the affairs of the company, he decided to do something for the poor. In order that his decision will not be suspended for other reasons, Bill Gates made a public speech on June 15, 2006 in the largest television station in the United States. He solemnly announced to the world: "I will gradually withdraw from the daily management of Microsoft and formally join the charity in 2008." The news immediately spread all over the world and shocked the whole world.
Buffett was very excited after hearing the news. How much courage does it take for a person to retire from the career he loves? This career has given him a hundred years of wealth and honor. Bill is an honest and trustworthy man! In those days, he thought about it repeatedly. He wanted to give Bill some practical support. On the night of June 24th, 2006, Buffett informed many American radio stations, TV stations, newspapers and magazines that he would make an important statement tomorrow. After receiving the news, all the reporters felt very strange, because Buffett has always been a very low-key person, and the news about him on weekdays is all racked by reporters. But tomorrow, what will he announce?
At 9 o'clock the next morning, the press conference hall of Berkshire Hathaway was crowded, and Buffett, who was full of white hair and full of energy, slowly walked in. He said very solemnly in front of the microphone: "From July this year, I will donate 37 billion dollars worth of stocks one after another!" The reporters at the scene suddenly quieted down, and people could hardly believe their ears.
Buffett continued: "This money will be donated to the most well-managed charity organization in the world, that is, the Bill and Melinda Charity Foundation." The reporters at the scene suddenly boiled, with $37 billion, equivalent to the annual gross national product of many small countries, accounting for 85% of Buffett's total assets. Who can believe this fact? Moreover, the foundation he donated was none other than Bill Gates, the richest man in the world. Who can do this?
After receiving the news, Gates immediately put down all official duties and went to Buffett's press conference with his wife Melinda. Seeing the arrival of his good friend, Buffett said happily into the microphone: "On the one hand, I chose the Gates and Melinda Charity Foundation because I think it is the most sound charity organization in the world. On the other hand, I trust Gates and Melinda very much. They are my best friends. " After that, he gave Gates a big hug, and the noisy venue suddenly quieted down, only the spotlight kept flashing. People admire the efforts made by these two rich people to realize the concept of taking from society and giving it back to society, and even more lament the friendship and trust worth $37 billion.
In June 2008, Bill Gates kept his promise and announced that he would quit Microsoft to engage in charity, and donated $58 billion of his personal assets to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is his best reward for his good friend and mentor Buffett.