Bill Gates: Co-Founder Biography
Full Name: William Henry Gates III
Known As: Bill Gates
Date of Birth: October 28, 1955
Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington, United States
Nationality: American
Profession: Businessman, Software Developer, Philanthropist, Investor
Religion: Raised Protestant Christian
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Famous For: Co-founding Microsoft Corporation
Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight: Approx. 70 kg (154 lbs)
Education
Schooling: Lakeside School, Seattle – A private preparatory school where he learned programming
College: Harvard University
Studied: Law and Computer Science
Dropped out in 1975 to start Microsoft
Family
Father: William H. Gates Sr. – Prominent attorney
Mother: Mary Maxwell Gates – Served on corporate boards, including First Interstate Bank and United Way
Siblings: Two sisters – Kristianne and Libby
Ex-Wife: Melinda French Gates (m. 1994 – div. 2021)
Children:
Jennifer Katharine Gates
Rory John Gates
Phoebe Adele Gates
Career
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft
in 1975 with Paul Allen. Under his leadership, Microsoft revolutionized personal computing with its Windows operating system, making it the global software leader.
Key Highlights:
Created MS-DOS
and later Windows OS
Became the world's richest person multiple times
Stepped down as CEO in 2000, remained chairman and chief software architect
Fully stepped away from Microsoft board in 2020
Philanthropy:
Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – one of the world's largest private charitable organizations
Focuses on global health, education, agriculture, sanitation, and poverty eradication
Has donated over $50 billion to global causes
Supports vaccination programs, malaria eradication, and clean water initiatives
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth (2024): $110–115 billion
Regularly ranks in the Top 5 richest people in the world
Main source of wealth: Microsoft stock, diversified investments through Cascade Investment
Awards & Honours
Presidential Medal of Freedom – 2016 (from US President Barack Obama)
Time Magazine's Person of the Year – 2005 (with Melinda Gates and Bono)
Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) – 2005
Padma Bhushan –
2015 (India)
Numerous honorary doctorates from universities like Harvard, Cambridge, and Tsinghua University
Ranked consistently among Time’s 100 Most Influential People
Summary
From revolutionizing the personal computer industry through Microsoft to transforming global philanthropy, he has left an indelible mark on the world. Despite immense wealth, he continues to dedicate his life to solving global challenges and improving lives through innovation and compassion.
