VF’s list of America’s 50 Richest Paydays is worth a glance. However, I could not overlook Peter Newcomb editorial comments regarding the largest two “winfalls”. Regarding Bill Gates’ take last year, Newcomb wrote, “Throw in a few hundred million dollars in dividend income and his impending retirement will be all the more comfortable.” Newcomb then added this comment regarding Pete Peterson‘s take from the Blackston IPO, “He intends to give a substantial portion of the proceeds to charity.”
Like or dislike Mr. Gates and Microsoft, I find it difficult to reason that any wealth he accumulates at this point will go anywhere other than in support of the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. And while it is always important to point out staunch philanthropists like Mr. Peterson, it is disingenuous to suggest anything less from Bill Gates.