The Microsoft co-founder is accelerating his plan as the U.S. and other countries cut funding for global health. In addition, Warren Buffett has said his donations to the Gates Foundation would end with his death.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will dramatically speed up his plans to give away most of his wealth, saying he will reduce his estimated $108 billion net worth by 99 percent over 20 years and prepare his eponymous foundation to stop operating by the end of 2045.

Gates says spending down his fortune relatively quickly will help save and improve many lives now and have ripple effects in the future.