The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was able to get real about what it is like being one of the richest men on the planet. While he’s grateful for the upsides that come with that station in life, he emphasized just how much he feels it’s important to utilize wealth in order to make a difference in the world.
It was likely to get comical when Gates joined Stephen Colbert on the iconic Late Show stage. Colbert is known for the irreverent take on the lives of the rich and strong, so it wasn’t a surprise when he asked the billionaire what some of the perks were with being a billionaire. Chuckling, Gates admitted that his financial success has indeed come with its perks but wasted no time in bringing up a more important subject-how he utilizes that wealth. He made sure to point out that the perk really isn’t about private jets and fancy yachts but about how one can invest in causes that could shape up the future in areas such as global health and climate change.
Smooth as always, he kept the tone light but deep. At times, he could joke about it, but he did not evade the question of the serious duties accompanying great wealth. During the interview, Gates sounded off on what he believes is the purpose of billionaires within society: there’s of course a lot of great things that come with that amount of wealth, but one of the most important things, in his opinion, is the ability it allows to give back:.
“When you have a lot,” he said, “there’s a responsibility to help the people who don’t.” A sense of conviction that long has been reflected in his work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in which he pledged to give most of his fortune to root out diseases, improve health, and right inequities in society.
He weighed in on how billionaires often come under fire about their building of wealth. He did not speak to justify vast wealth but of the obligations attached to it. “If you’re lucky enough to have the position that I do, it’s not about keeping what you have; it’s about making sure you give it away to make the world a better place,” he added, underlining his commitment to philanthropy. Giving back was the most moving part of his interview. So far, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the business magnate has donated billions toward global health, poverty eradication, and climate action. To date, Gates has continuously sounded these alarm bells by stating that he has given away almost all of his wealth and money in itself should not be an end but a means to fix pressing global issues such as health and climate change.
From funding vaccine development to supporting sustainable agriculture, Gates is determined that his money can make actual and lasting change.
“We’re focused on issues such as polio eradication, malaria, and making sure people have clean energy,” he told Colbert. “There’s so much to be done, and I believe that wealth is one heck of an eternal tool in tackling these ultimate global problems.”
During the interview, Gates spoke with much boldness in favour of a more progressive tax system. He said that if he had to draw up a system of taxation, then the ultra-rich, of which category he would be a part, will need to pay much more. “It’s not fair that people with this much wealth pay so little to address this inequality,” said Gates, explaining that the tax system should contribute toward pulling down the gap between the rich and the poor. He showed the need to have a system where the richest of the rich pay more in revenue toward public services, education, and health, resulting in less social inequity.
Besides all the philanthropic work, Gates even opened up some about himself during the interview. He briefly spoke of his new role: being a grandfather-a title he clearly loves. “Being a grandparent is another form of bliss. It simply bounces you back to what is most important,” shared an ebullient Gates. Yes, he did mention the abiding interest in technology, too-particularly artificial intelligence. “AI has a lot to offer in healthcare, education, and beyond. We’re just beginning to see what’s possible.”
These musings from Gates about his family and technology were refreshing moments of humanizing amidst all the discussions of wealth and responsibility. Even with his global influence, he is but a man who genuinely cares about his family and the future of innovation. The program also featured primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, an interesting juxtaposition to the technological point of view of Gates. Goodall rounds out the overall themes in the episode: philanthropy, environmentalism, and humanitarian undertakings. Her talk with Colbert touched upon a few issues: protection of the environment and how everyone’s responsibility-even multibillionaires, like Gates-is one of making sure the Earth goes on intact for future generations.
