Bill Gates Says He's Happier As A Billionaire Than If He Were Middle Class — 'You Don't Need A Billion…But Freedom From Worry Is A Blessing'

Ask someone if being a billionaire makes you happier, and you'll usually get one of two answers: "Obviously!" or "Well, happiness comes from within." It's either mind-blown excitement or a quick pivot into philosophy.

But when someone asked Bill Gates, "Do you think being a billionaire has made you a happier person than if you were just a middle class person?" in a Reddit AMA back in 2019, he didn't dodge, humble-brag, or wax poetic.

"Yes," he said. "I don't have to think about health costs or college costs. Being free from worry about financial things is a real blessing."

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But before anyone grabbed their pitchforks, Gates clarified: "Of course you don't need a billion to get to that point." The key, he explained, isn't the commas in your net worth — it's the freedom from worry.

Which, for the record, is something most Americans would kill for.

As of late 2023, 62% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, according to LendingClub — including nearly half of those making over $100,000 a year. And it's not just about day-to-day expenses. A survey from the American Psychological Association found 72% of U.S. adults feel stressed about money on a regular basis.

That stress hits hard when basic needs aren't guaranteed. A Bankrate survey found that 57% of Americans cite lack of emergency savings as one of their biggest stressors. 

When it comes to healthcare, 27% of adults skipped medical treatment due to cost, according to the Federal Reserve's 2023 Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households.

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Gates gets it. He pointed out during the same AMA:

"We do need to reduce the cost growth in these areas so they are accessible to everyone."

Translation: being middle class shouldn't mean losing sleep over your kid's tuition or skipping the dentist for six years.

The billionaire also gave a glimpse into what else makes him happy: family, fitness, and following through. "Staying in shape," he said, "helps me stay calm and be happier." So does seeing his kids thrive.

Sure, Gates has the luxury of contemplating happiness from the comfort of a sprawling estate and a multi-billion-dollar portfolio. But he also spends his time giving it away. He's pledged to donate most of his fortune through the Giving Pledge, a campaign he co-founded with Warren Buffett to encourage billionaires to commit at least half their wealth to good causes.

So is it better to be rich? According to Gates — yes. But is it necessary? Not at all. What you need is to not live in constant fear of a broken bone or surprise tuition bill draining your entire future. 

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