Drinks

Bill Gates Buys Heineken Stake, Despite Saying He's 'Not A Big Beer Drinker'

By Dave Simpson
Bill Gates Buys Heineken Stake, Despite Saying He's 'Not A Big Beer Drinker'

Bill Gates has bought 3.76% stake in Dutch drinks giant Heineken Holding NV, although the billionaire founder of Microsoft has previously said he was "not a big beer drinker."

Details

The filing by the Netherlands' Financial Markets Authority (AFM) said the shares were purchased on 17 February. Heineken Holding owns a controlling stake in brewer Heineken NV.

Gates purchased the shares from Mexico's FEMSA, which is selling out of the brewing company.

A separate filing also dated 17 February showed FEMSA sold all 18 million shares it held in Heineken Holding. Gates purchased 10.8 million shares, worth €883 million at current market prices, triggering a disclosure requirement under Dutch stock market rules.

In a 2018 "Ask Me Anything" chat session on Reddit, Gates said he was "not a big beer drinker."

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"When I end up at something like a baseball game I drink light beer to get with the vibe of all the other beer drinkers. Sorry to disappoint real beer drinkers."

Not Immediately Available For Comment

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the charitable foundation launched by the billionaire and his former wife, wasn't immediately available for comment.

Read More: Heineken Says It Still Plans To Exit Russia, Take €300m Loss

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