Warren Buffett has paused his annual donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the first time in two decades. The decision, made while an external review examines the charity's past connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has renewed scrutiny on one of modern philanthropy's most influential partnerships. Buffett is now expected to delay further donations until the review is complete.
Neither Buffett nor Gates has been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. But Gates' past association with the disgraced financier has drawn renewed attention. Buffett has donated roughly $48 billion (£37.4 billion) worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares to the Gates Foundation since 2006, making him one of its largest individual benefactors.
