Will $37 Billion Be Enough?

By Erik Gunther
Originally published Mon, June 26, 2006, 4:58 pm PDT

The Oracle of Omaha has decided what he’s going to do with a large chunk of his massive accumulation of wealth. Searches on Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett soared over 4,000% after he announced he was giving over $37 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

On the heels of this gargantuan gift, searches on “philanthropy” surged, as did queries on “warren buffett biography.” Investors worried about what the divine donation meant for Buffet’s extensive holding company sent searches on “berkshire hathaway stock” off the charts. The recipients of the titanic influx also piqued searchers’ interest, and buzz on “bill gates,” “bill gates foundation,” and “gates foundation” rocketed skyward. What are the philanthropic plans of two of the richest men on the face of the earth? It’ll be interesting to trace the legacy of this largesse…