Bill Gates Enjoys a Classic NYC Hot Dog During Busy Week in the Big Apple

Even with a packed schedule of meetings, events, and interviews, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates found time for a quintessential New York City experience—a hot dog. While visiting the city for the annual Goalkeepers event, Gates took a break to grab a bite from a food vendor in the bustling heart of Times Square.

In a playful post shared on Instagram, the Microsoft co-founder asked, “Did you even go to New York if you didn’t have a hot dog?” The video shows Gates politely ordering his meal before giving a satisfied nod of approval after his first bite, much to the delight of his followers.

Though the moment highlighted a rare slice of everyday life for one of the world’s richest men, Gates wasn’t just in town for sightseeing and hot dogs. His visit to New York centered around the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2024 Goalkeepers event, which brings together global leaders, innovators, and changemakers working to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The focus of this year’s event was on addressing the critical issue of childhood malnutrition. According to Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, over 400 million children around the world still lack the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Suzman stressed that climate change is only worsening this global crisis, but emphasized that progress is still possible through innovation, research, and scaling up existing solutions.

“Goalkeepers is about bringing together a community of global changemakers who champion the Sustainable Development Goals to energize and inspire each other to continue making progress,” Suzman said in a statement. The event, held during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, provided an important platform to highlight the need for global resilience in the face of climate change and other challenges.

Gates also took time to promote his new Netflix series, What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates, during his busy trip. The show, which delves into major societal issues and explores potential solutions, reflects Gates’ deep curiosity about the world and his passion for tackling global problems. “I’m deeply curious about a lot of things and trying to think how I can play a role in those things,” Gates told PEOPLE. He added that while the topics discussed can often seem daunting, working on solutions is both motivating and rewarding.

In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Gates continues to stay connected with his family. He mentioned that he regularly texts his daughter Phoebe to tell her he’s sending an email, joking that this method of communication is his way of “meeting her halfway” when it comes to technology.

While Gates has plenty on his plate—from advocating for global health initiatives to promoting his new series—his simple act of enjoying a New York hot dog in Times Square brought a relatable and light-hearted moment to his otherwise jam-packed schedule.

Whether it’s savoring a street snack or tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues, Gates shows that even amidst a whirlwind week in New York City, there’s always time to enjoy the little things.