Bill Gates has acquired a minority stake in Heineken Holding NV, the controlling shareholder of Heineken NV, for approximately $902 million. This represents a 3.8% stake in Heineken Holding.
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Gates bought 6.65 million shares in Heineken Holding in his individual capacity and another 4.18 million shares through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. The foundation has long been a powerhouse in the nonprofit world, employing almost 1,800 people and spending nearly $80 billion since 2000.
The shares are valued at €848.2 million ($902 million) based on Bloomberg’s calculations at the closing share price value of February 17.
Gates acquired the stake on the same day that Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB (Femsa) launched a €3.7 billion stock and equity-linked sale for part of its holdings in Heineken. Femsa had announced plans to sell its stake in Heineken after a strategic review.
Femsa’s accelerated bookbuild offering of €1.9 billion in shares in Heineken NV priced at €91 apiece, and €1.3 billion in shares in Heineken Holding sold at €75 each. Heineken Holding controls 50% of Heineken NV, maker of the namesake beer as well as Amstel, Moretti, and Sol, among others.
Heineken and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the acquisition.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has also invested in Dutch online grocer Picnic BV and holds a 1.34% stake in Dutch fertilizer producer OCI NV.
