<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div>Elon Musk may top today's rich list, but if Bill Gates had diamond-handed his Microsoft stock instead of giving most of it away, we'd be looking at a very different kind of billionaire. A trillionaire, in fact.According to a Forbes video posted on YouTube this week, Gates would be worth around $1.2 trillion today — more than three times Musk's net worth — if he'd never sold a single share or donated a dime. The clip estimates that he and Melinda French Gates could have had a combined fortune of $1.5 trillion, making them by far the wealthiest couple in modern history.Of course, that's not what happened.Don't Miss:<ul> <li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest before it's too late.</li> <li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.30/share with a $1000 minimum.</li> </ul>The video highlights that since Microsoft's 1986 IPO — where Gates held 49% of the company — he's steadily trimmed his stake over the years while building one of the most generous philanthropic legacies in history. Today, he holds less than 1% of Microsoft stock, worth about $28 billion, while Melinda reportedly owns 380,000 shares worth roughly $170 million.Still, the hypothetical is staggering: if they'd never sold and reinvested dividends, the Gateses would own over 3.2 billion shares after stock splits, controlling about 43% of Microsoft — a stake valued at $1.4 trillion at today's price. Toss in another $100 billion in post-tax dividends, and the cash pile alone would outsize most billionaire fortunes.Today's Best Finance DealsThis alternate reality has its roots in the late '90s, when Wired magazine boldly predicted Gates would become the first trillionaire by 2005. At the time, it didn't sound too far-fetched. By June 1999, Gates' net worth had soared to $72.2 billion, growing at an eye-popping annual rate of 58.2% since the IPO. But instead of clinging to Microsoft shares, Gates diversified, offloaded, and doubled down on giving.Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.In a blog post earlier this month, he reaffirmed his commitment to philanthropy, referencing Andrew Carnegie's The Gospel of Wealth. &#34;The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced,&#34; Carnegie wrote. Gates added, &#34;People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich' will not be one of them.&#34;And he's stuck to it. Through the Gates Foundation — which he co-founded with Melinda in 2000 — he's given away more than $100 billion, a sum he notes was &#34;in part powered by the generosity of Warren Buffett.&#34; So, yes — Gates could've been the world's first trillionaire. But he chose to be the world's most impactful giver instead. Rich in capital? Absolutely. But richer, it seems, in purpose.<ul> <li>Be part of the next med-tech breakthrough for only $350 — 500+ surgeries already done with nView's AI system.</li> <li>Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal: Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold.</li> </ul>Image: Shutterstock</div></div></div>

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Bill Gates could have been the world's first trillionaire if he had retained his Microsoft stock instead of donating much of it. Currently, he holds less than 1% of Microsoft, valued at about $28 billion. Had he not sold shares, he and Melinda French Gates could have controlled 43% of Microsoft, worth approximately $1.4 trillion today. Gates emphasizes his commitment to philanthropy, stating he does not want to be remembered as someone who died rich, having given away over $100 billion through the Gates Foundation.

- Bill Gates could have been worth around $1.2 trillion today if he had retained all his Microsoft shares instead of donating most of his wealth.  
- Since Microsoft's IPO, Gates has sold off his stake, currently holding less than 1%, while he and Melinda French Gates could have controlled about 43% of the company.  
- Gates emphasizes his commitment to philanthropy, stating he prefers to be remembered for his charitable contributions rather than his wealth.  

Bill Gates Could Have Been World's First Trillionaire If He Had Diamond-Handed His Microsoft Stock — But Instead, He's Vowed To Not Die Rich