Forbes first listed Bill Gates at an estimated $315 million in 1986. The 2021 Forbes 400 printed an estimated $134 billion. The 2026 annual list had him 19th at an estimated $108 billion after decades of giving.
Forbes’ 2026 annual list put Bill Gates 19th at an estimated $108 billion, while Elon Musk led at an estimated $839 billion. Steve Ballmer, who kept more Microsoft stock, screened richer.
Forbes puts Bill Gates at an estimated $109.7 billion in late August 2026, 19th in the world — a still-large personal balance after he gave more than $59 billion to his foundation, which is scheduled to spend down and close in 2045.