Exclusive | Warren Buffett Skips Midyear Donation to Gates Foundation Amid Epstein Review

June 30, 2026 - 12:39

The billionaire investor Warren Buffett has decided to skip his usual midyear donation to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, according to people familiar with the matter. The move comes as the foundation conducts an internal review of its past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Buffett, who has pledged to give away nearly all of his fortune during his lifetime, typically transfers billions of dollars in Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Gates Foundation and four other family charities each July. This year, however, he is expected to delay that decision until the foundation completes its examination of Epstein-related issues.

The Gates Foundation launched the review earlier this year after reports revealed that Bill Gates met with Epstein on multiple occasions, including after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. The foundation has said it was a mistake to have any association with Epstein.

Buffett, 93, has been a major supporter of the Gates Foundation since 2006, when he began his Giving Pledge. Over the years, he has donated more than $40 billion to the organization. His hesitation to continue the midyear gift signals that he is waiting for clarity before committing further funds.

A representative for Buffett declined to comment on the timing of the donation. The Gates Foundation said it remains grateful for Buffett's generosity and is focused on its ongoing review. The outcome of that review could shape the future of one of the largest charitable partnerships in history.