Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has ceased his recurring donations to the charitable foundation established by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

The shift comes weeks after Gates detailed his historical association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Although Buffett committed in 2006 to "irrevocably" allocate shares of his firm, Berkshire Hathaway, to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation annually "throughout my lifetime," the organization was entirely omitted from the list of entities receiving billions of dollars worth of stock on Tuesday.

The redirected equity will instead be divided among four separate foundations involving members of the Buffett family.

The 95-year-old philanthropist announced his intention to fully dispose of his remaining holdings over the upcoming eight years.

Addressing his long-term financial plans, Buffett stated, "Of course, mortality is unpredictable.

But my remaining shares will be donated to the four foundations one way or the other by 31 December, 2034."

The decision follows public scrutiny surrounding Gates' relationship with Epstein, which intensified after the U.S. Department of Justice released relevant documentation in January.

While Buffett avoided explicit reference to either individual in his official statement, he previously disclosed to CNBC in March that he had cut off communication with Gates "since the whole thing was unveiled." Explaining his absolute caution regarding the matter, Buffett remarked, "I don't want to be in a position where I know things...

to be called as a witness."

In June, Gates appeared before the U.S. House Oversight Committee to answer questions regarding his ties to Epstein, who died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Committee transcripts reveal Gates testified that he was initially introduced to Epstein in 2011 on the premise that the financier could secure billions of dollars for global health initiatives, a primary objective of the foundation.

Gates noted, "I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed." Three years prior to their introduction, Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution.

Gates conceded to the panel, "I should never have met with Epstein in the first place.

Based on what I know now, I understand that even if he had delivered the donors he promised, it would not have justified associating with him."

Buffett's multi-billion dollar contributions have historically anchored the charity, amounting to 47 billion dollars over a 20-year duration.

The initial endowment was driven by Buffett's stated admiration for the foundation's global accomplishments, which later expanded in 2010 when he co-founded the Giving Pledge alongside Bill and Melinda Gates to encourage ultra-wealthy individuals to donate the majority of their fortunes.

The institutional landscape has since evolved, following the divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, and her subsequent resignation from the foundation in 2024 to pursue independent philanthropic initiatives with a one billion dollar commitment.

Representatives for the Gates Foundation expressed gratitude to Buffett for his decades of support, confirming the institution maintains a resilient financial baseline to advance its operations through 2045, underpinned by a separate 200 billion dollar commitment from Gates.