Warren Buffett announced on Tuesday that he has ceased making donations to the Gates Foundation after new details emerged about Bill Gates' past interactions with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Buffett is giving roughly $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock, equal to 12 million Class B shares, through his usual mid-year gift. The shares will go entirely to four family foundations run by his daughter Susie along with sons Howard and Peter.

The 95-year-old Berkshire chairman made no reference to the Gates Foundation, which has received more than $47 billion in conglomerate stock since Buffett pledged in 2006 to give away shares over his lifetime. His gift last year exceeded $4.5 billion.

"Of course, mortality is unpredictable, but my remaining shares will be donated to the four foundations one way or the other by December 31, 2034," Buffett said in a statement.

The Gates Foundation offered no immediate comment. Berkshire also declined to provide further remarks.

Gates expresses regret over Epstein connection

Bill Gates has faced renewed scrutiny after the US Department of Justice released Epstein-related files in February. The materials contained photos of Gates with the financier and with women whose faces were redacted, plus emails involving foundation staff.

In June, Gates told Congress he "did not fully understand the extent" of Epstein's crimes when he met the financier, including discussions about possible philanthropy work.

Gates, now 70, has not faced criminal charges. He has voiced repeated regret for any association with Epstein, denied spending time with Epstein's victims, and stated he never saw criminal acts by the financier.

Buffett directs gifts to family-led charities

Buffett has already transferred well over half his Berkshire holdings since he began distributing his fortune in 2006. Before the latest gifts he held nearly 14 percent of the company and was valued at $147 billion by Forbes.

He is sending 9 million Class B shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 1 million shares each to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation.

Buffett said he intends for annual grants to rise over time, with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation receiving somewhat faster growth. Susie Buffett heads that foundation, which supports reproductive health and is named for her mother, Buffett's first wife.

The Sherwood Foundation backs Nebraska nonprofits and early-childhood education. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation works on global hunger, anti-trafficking efforts, and conflict reduction. The NoVo Foundation focuses on programs for marginalized girls and women as well as indigenous communities.