Bill Gates

Bill Gates (full name: William Henry Gates III; born October 28, 1955) is an American business magnate, software developer, and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, alongside Paul Allen. Gates led the company as chairman and CEO until stepping down as CEO in January 2000, but he remained chairman and became chief software architect. In June 2006, Gates announced that he would be transitioning to a part-time role at Microsoft and full-time work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the private charitable foundation he and his then-wife, Melinda Gates, established in 2000.

Early Life

Gates was born in Seattle, Washington, on October 28, 1955, to William H. Gates Sr., a prominent lawyer, and Mary Maxwell Gates, a businesswoman and board member of First Interstate BancSystem and the United Way. Gates showed early interest in computer science and began programming computers at the age of 13.

Career

In 1975, Gates dropped out of Harvard University to found Microsoft with Paul Allen. The company's big break came in 1980 when IBM approached them for a new operating system for its first personal computer, leading to the development of MS-DOS. Subsequently, Microsoft launched Windows, a graphical extension for MS-DOS, which became highly successful.

Under Gates's leadership, Microsoft became the world's largest personal computer software company. Gates was an active software developer in the company's early years, particularly in the company's programming language products, but his primary role in most of the company's history was primarily as management and executive.

Gates stepped down as CEO of Microsoft in January 2000 but remained as chairman and chief software architect. In June 2008, Gates transitioned to a part-time role at Microsoft and started working full-time at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Philanthropy

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world's largest private charitable foundation with a $46.8 billion endowment as of 2020. The foundation aims to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty globally, and to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology in the U.S. Gates has also pledged to give away the majority of his wealth through the Giving Pledge, which he co-founded with Warren Buffett in 2010.

Personal Life

Gates married Melinda French on January 1, 1994; they have three children. The couple announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage but stated they would continue to work together at their foundation.

Legacy

Gates's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing his achievements in technology, business, and philanthropy. He is credited with shaping the personal computing revolution and has played a significant role in the digital age. Through his philanthropic efforts, Gates has also addressed significant global challenges, including health and education.