Warren Buffett delays Gates Foundation donation amid scrutiny over Epstein case

Wednesday 01 July 2026 - 07:47

By: Azzat Manal

Warren Buffett delays Gates Foundation donation amid scrutiny over Epstein case

Warren Buffett has reportedly postponed his regular mid-year charitable donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, marking the first such delay in nearly two decades as scrutiny continues over the foundation's past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to reports, the 95-year-old chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway is considering delaying his annual decision until later in the year while monitoring developments related to ongoing public attention surrounding the matter.

Since 2006, Buffett has donated billions of dollars' worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares each year to the Gates Foundation as part of one of the largest philanthropic commitments in modern history. Over the years, his contributions to the foundation have totaled approximately $48 billion, helping support global initiatives in public health, education, poverty reduction, and disease prevention.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Buffett is still expected to continue his charitable giving to organizations managed by his three children, as well as the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named after his late wife, regardless of the final decision concerning the Gates Foundation.

The renewed attention follows continuing public scrutiny over Bill Gates' previous meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has previously acknowledged that those meetings were a mistake and has publicly expressed regret, while repeatedly stating that he had no involvement in Epstein's criminal activities.

The issue has continued to attract attention as US authorities have released additional information related to the Epstein investigation, prompting renewed debate about relationships between prominent public figures and the late financier.

Buffett and Gates have shared a long-standing friendship and a common commitment to philanthropy for many years. However, reports suggest that the latest developments have introduced uncertainty regarding Buffett's annual donation schedule while he waits for greater clarity.

Despite the reported delay, financial analysts emphasize that Buffett remains one of the world's most influential philanthropists. His charitable giving strategy has shaped modern philanthropy by encouraging many wealthy individuals to dedicate substantial portions of their fortunes to charitable causes through initiatives such as the Giving Pledge, which he co-founded with Bill Gates.