Can anyone explain how he only owns 1.3% of Microsoft now, and yet is worth $86 billion? Almost all of his net worth came from Microsoft shares. Based upon the MSFT market cap of $561 billion, he is only worth about $7.3 billion.
What accounts for this monstrous difference? He has cashed some out over the years, but not ~$80 billion worth.
Bill Gates owned ~24% of Microsoft in 1996 for example.
At the peak of the dotcom bubble, his holdings in Microsoft were worth between $85 and $95 billion (with a very limited diversification at that point). He briefly hit or nearly eclipsed $100 billion when Microsoft hit its highest point back then (in December 1999). The difference you're looking for, is represented in his program of routinely - and persistently - liquidating Microsoft shares over the last 20 years and diversifying into other investments.
The reason for the dramatic diversification out of Microsoft, should of course be obvious though: eliminate a single point of failure, particularly important given what he is attempting to achieve with his wealth (it's all going to the public good (his opinion of what that is of course)).
What accounts for this monstrous difference? He has cashed some out over the years, but not ~$80 billion worth.