Bill Gates's current holdings in Microsoft amount to about 103 million shares, which are now worth over $42 billion. At the peak of the tech boom, he held a much higher percentage of shares, making him one of the richest...

Bill Gates's current holdings in Microsoft amount to about 103 million shares, which are now worth over $42 billion. At the peak of the tech boom, he held a much higher percentage of shares, making him one of the richest individuals in the world. Over the years, he has sold portions of his holdings but retains a significant stake. Notably, Gates did not use stock options throughout most of his CEO tenure; his wealth was primarily based on his existing shares. His decision to diversify into philanthropy does not diminish the fact that his financial legacy at Microsoft is immense, with the shares continuing to provide substantial value even after his active management role ended.