How much of Apple does Bill Gates own?

Bill Gates does not own a significant direct stake in Apple as of current public filings, and he does not own Apple in the sense of controlling shares, though he has owned Apple stock through his investment vehicles at various times. Historically, in 1997 Microsoft, where Bill Gates was CEO, invested 150 million dollars in Apple as part of a deal to save Apple from bankruptcy, buying non-voting preferred shares that were later sold. That investment was by Microsoft Corporation, not personally by Bill Gates. Today, Bill Gates's wealth is primarily managed through Cascade Investment LLC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, which hold diversified portfolios. According to recent 13F filings, the Gates Foundation Trust does not hold a large Apple position as a top holding, focusing more on Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, Waste Management, and other stocks. Bill Gates personally has stated he owns Microsoft shares and other investments, but not a large Apple stake. Apple is owned primarily by institutional investors like Vanguard, BlackRock, and Berkshire Hathaway, which owns about 5 percent. Bill Gates may own some Apple shares indirectly through mutual funds, but his ownership is far less than 1 percent and not publicly disclosed as significant. So answer is Bill Gates owns essentially zero percent of Apple in any controlling sense today.