Sadly yes. Ever since he became a "philanthropist", people come out of the woodwork to say he's "one of the good ones". I have to remind them that he may be "good" now but he can still pay his fucking taxes and be better.
I'm probably one of the people OP is thinking of. Before my time he was apparently a massive bastard, and he even admits to it. These days, as far as I can tell, he rescues Africans and doesn't do much else. Every other famous billionaire is higher on my shit list.
He isn't.
Many of those who get called 'philanthropists' or claim to be don't do it for altruistic reasons.
Plenty of profits from the Gates foundation.
1 example, Billy makes a deal with African governments where his foundation funds a small percentage of medicine (with many tax advantages), the bulk by the respective states.
Invariably the medicine is the one Billy has invested in.
There's plenty more if you look into it.
I don't bcs I know that scumbag will never change.
But looks like plenty people are easily fooled.