At 82 years old, billionaire Judy Faulkner has made a decision that places her among the most significant philanthropists of the modern era: she has formally committed to giving away 99% of her wealth. Although her name is not widely recognized outside the healthcare and technology world, her work has shaped the medical experience of millions. Faulkner is the founder and CEO of Epic Systems, the electronic health records company that now supports clinical information for more than 300 million patients across the United States, according to Forbes and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 2023).

Faulkner first announced her long-term charitable plan in 2015 when she signed the Giving Pledge–style commitment known as the “philanthropic pledge,” stating that the majority of her fortune would eventually be transferred to a charitable foundation rather than inherited or sold (Modern Healthcare, 2015). What makes her latest step remarkable is not just the scale, but the fact that the process is already underway. This is not a distant intention or a symbolic promise; it is a legally structured transfer that ensures her wealth will be directed toward public benefit well beyond her lifetime.

Her philanthropic vehicle, the Roots & Wings Foundation, has expanded rapidly in recent years. The foundation focuses on strengthening healthcare access, improving educational opportunities, and supporting food security, affordable housing, and essential social services for vulnerable families. Public filings and reporting from Bloomberg indicate that the foundation is expected to distribute approximately $100 million per year as its endowment continues to grow. In Wisconsin—where Epic Systems is headquartered—the organization has already partnered with community health programs and local nonprofit networks to address long-standing gaps in care.

Faulkner’s journey stands in contrast to the stereotypical tech-industry narrative. She founded Epic in 1979 in a small apartment in Madison, Wisconsin, with only a handful of employees and no external investors—a model she has maintained for more than four decades. Epic remains privately held, which has allowed Faulkner to pursue long-term development rather than rapid shareholder-driven growth. Industry analysts from the Harvard Business Review note that Epic’s stability and slow-build strategy have contributed to its dominance in U.S. hospital systems, including major academic medical centers.

Despite becoming one of the most influential figures in digital health, Faulkner has consistently avoided media attention and has rarely appeared on public stages. Her philosophy of “no limelight” reflects her belief in measurable impact instead of recognition. As she once told Forbes, the goal is not to be remembered for wealth, but for “what good it can do.”

From launching a software company with a few borrowed desks to transforming global medical record-keeping, Judy Faulkner has reshaped healthcare quietly and deliberately. Her decision to give away nearly all of her estimated $7.8 billion fortune underscores a powerful message: meaningful change does not require visibility—it requires commitment, humility, and action.