AEGiS-AFP News: Britain-Gates-donation: Bill Gates to become world's biggest donor

Britain-Gates-donation: Bill Gates to become world's biggest donor
Agence France-Presse - July 31, 1999

LONDON, July 31 (AFP) - Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates intends to become known as the world's biggest benefactor, to rid the planet of AIDS and malaria, his father told Britain's The Sunday Times newspaper.

According to the father of the richest man in the world, Gates plans to hand over his 65 billion pound (100 billion dollar) fortune to the William H Gates Foundation, run by Gates Senior.

The software tycoon is expected to donate the majority of the money to funding vaccines to combat diseases such as malaria and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

"A widely distributed vaccine can help make the goal of a world without AIDS a reality," he said, reported by the paper.

Gates' father, 73, said his son was shocked by the levels of disease and poverty encountered during travels to developing countries with his wife.

Critics point out that Gates will receive generous tax breaks in the United States for his donations, the paper said.

But a foundation spokesman denied that there was any link between the gifts and a dispute with the US government over an alleged illegal monopoly, the paper added.

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