In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Warren Buffett, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the world's wealthiest individuals, revealed that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation may not continue to receive his financial backing after his demise. Over the years, Buffett has donated over $39 billion to the charitable organization, but he expressed that his will does not explicitly state any further pledges to the foundation.

At 93 years old, Buffett acknowledged that his remaining wealth, which is currently valued at approximately $127 billion, will be bequeathed to a charitable trust overseen by his three children – Howard, Susie, and Peter. The allocation of his billions would primarily depend on their unanimous decision. Buffett expressed confidence in his children's values and stated, "I feel very, very good about the values of my three children and I have 100% trust in how they will carry things out."

While the absence of explicit pledges to the Gates Foundation does not entirely rule out future donations, it raises questions about the future of the organization's funding. The Gates Foundation, founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates, has disbursed grants totaling almost $78 billion since its establishment. The charity focuses on combating poverty globally and eradicating malaria. Buffett has been one of the foundation's largest supporters, having made donations since he joined as a trustee in 2006.

The news of Buffett's potential withdrawal of financial support to the Gates Foundation comes as the organization faces another setback. Earlier this year, Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the foundation, announced her divorce from Bill Gates and subsequently resigned from her role to focus on advancing women's rights globally.

Lauding Buffett's immense generosity and contribution to the foundation over the past 18 years, CEO Mark Suzman expressed gratitude for his invaluable role in shaping the organization's mission. The Gates Foundation, however, did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.

Buffett's will, which will become public upon his passing, outlines his children as the executors and trustees responsible for decisions related to the allocation of his remaining wealth. While the specific plans for the funds have not been made due to various factors such as tax laws and societal developments, Susie Buffett, one of Buffett's children, anticipates a continuation of the family's philanthropic initiatives.

The potential shift in Buffett's charitable contributions marks a significant change for the Gates Foundation, which has greatly benefitted from his support over the years. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the organization's future endeavors and the causes it champions, including the fight against global poverty and the eradication of diseases like malaria.