Bill Gates, born on October 28, 1955, is an American businessman, investor, philanthropist and writer known for co-founding Microsoft.
He is a pioneer in the microcomputer revolution and has a multi-billion dollar investment portfolio.
Gates is also the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on fighting poverty, disease and inequity globally.
His recent emphasis on polio eradication highlights his philanthropic efforts.
Additionally, Forbes notes his diversified fortune beyond Microsoft, including investments in waste disposal.
Siblings
Gates has two sisters, Kristianne and Libby Gates.
Kristianne, also known as Kristi, is married to John Blake and has two children.
She graduated from the University of Washington and worked at Deloitte before starting her own firm.
Libby, on the other hand, is married to Nick MacPhee and works as a therapist focusing on shame resilience and courage in Seattle.
Both sisters have been actively involved in philanthropy and served on various boards, continuing their family’s legacy of giving back.
Career
Gates showed an early interest in computer programming and formed a partnership with his childhood friend Paul Allen, which would eventually lead to the founding of Microsoft.
In 1975, Gates and Allen dropped out of Harvard University to focus on their fledgling company, which was initially called Micro-Soft, a combination of the words “microcomputer” and “software.”
The company’s early success came with the development of the BASIC programming language for personal computers, which was licensed to other companies.
This led to a significant increase in the popularity of personal computers, and Microsoft’s software became the industry standard.
Gates’ leadership and vision played a crucial role in Microsoft’s rapid growth and success.
He was instrumental in the development of MS-DOS, the operating system that dominated the early personal computer market.
His strategic decision to license MS-DOS to other companies, rather than trying to compete directly with IBM, allowed Microsoft to maintain a dominant position in the market.
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In the late 1980s, Gates turned his attention to the graphical user interface (GUI) and led the development of Windows, which revolutionized the way people interacted with computers.
Windows quickly became the most popular operating system in the world, cementing Microsoft’s position as a leader in the technology industry.
As Microsoft continued to grow and expand, Gates’ focus began to shift from technology to philanthropy.
In 2000, he stepped down as CEO of Microsoft and took on the role of Chief Software Architect, allowing him to focus on his philanthropic efforts.
He co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife, Melinda French Gates, and has since dedicated himself to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, disease and access to education.
Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has worked to improve global health, particularly in the areas of vaccine development and distribution.
He has also been a vocal advocate for increased funding for education, particularly in the United States, and has worked to promote access to technology and digital literacy around the world.
Gates’ philanthropic efforts have been recognized and honored with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Order of the Aztec Eagle, and the Nobel Peace Prize.
His commitment to giving back to society has inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps, and his legacy continues to shape the world of technology and beyond.
Net worth
Gates’ current net worth is estimated to be over $123 billion as of February 2024.
His net worth comes primarily from his stake in Microsoft, the company he co-founded, where he still owns around 1.3% of the shares worth roughly $20 billion.
Gates’ wealth is managed by his family office, Cascade Investments, which has a diversified portfolio worth over $25 billion as of April 2023.
In addition to his Microsoft shares and Cascade Investments, Gates also has substantial real estate holdings and a collection of rare collectibles, including a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript he purchased for $30.8 million.
Despite his immense wealth, Gates has pledged to give away 99.96% of his fortune through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has provided over $71 billion in grants since its inception.