Bill Gates gives $4.6bn to charity in biggest donation since 2000

Recipient of 64m Microsoft shares is a mystery, but is expected to be tech tycoon's foundation

Bill Gates, the world's richest man, has donated $4.6bn (3.6bn) in the Microsoft founder's biggest gift to charity since he set up the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates donated 64m Microsoft shares according to a US Securities & Exchange Commission filing. The recipient of the gift was not specified but it is expected that the money will be directed to the foundation he and his wife set up in 2000 with $5bn funding to improve global healthcare and reduce extreme poverty. The foundation did not respond to requests for comment.