Image credit: “Bill Gates in Greece” by Titanas is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is a renowned entrepreneur, software developer, and philanthropist. He revolutionized personal computing and dedicates his wealth to global health and education through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Henry Gates III |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1955 |
| Birthplace | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Co-Founder of | Microsoft |
| Key Positions at Microsoft | Chairman, CEO, President, Chief Software Architect |
| Other Companies Founded | BEN, Cascade Investment, TerraPower, Gates Ventures, Breakthrough Energy |
| Philanthropic Foundation | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Transition to Philanthropy | June 2008 (part-time at Microsoft, full-time at foundation) |
| Role after stepping down as CEO | Chairman of the Board, Chief Software Architect, Technology Adviser |
| Stepped Down from Microsoft Board | March 2020 |
| Philanthropic Focus | Climate change, global health and development, education |
| Forbes Billionaire List | Included since 1987 |
| Wealthiest Person in the World | 1995-2017 (except 2008, 2010-2013) |
| First Centibillionaire | 1999 |
| Major Philanthropic Campaigns | 21st century vaccination campaign (eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa) |
| The Giving Pledge | Founded in 2010 with Warren Buffett |
Early Life
William Henry Gates III, popularly known as Bill Gates, was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He was raised in an upper-middle-class family with his two sisters, Kristi and Libby. Their father, William H. Gates Sr., was a prominent lawyer, and their mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, was a schoolteacher who later served on the board of directors for First Interstate BancSystem and the United Way. Bill Gates showed an early interest in computer programming, which was fostered by his time at Lakeside School, a private preparatory school in Seattle. It was at Lakeside that he met Paul Allen, with whom he would later co-found Microsoft. Gates moved on to attend Harvard University, though he eventually left to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions, leading to the creation of Microsoft and his rise as one of the most influential figures in the technology industry.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | William H. Gates Sr. | William H. Gates Sr. was an American attorney and philanthropist who co-founded the law firm Shidler McBroom & Gates. He was a prominent lawyer and civic leader in Seattle. |
| Mother | Mary Maxwell Gates | Mary Maxwell Gates was an American businesswoman, executive, and civic activist who served on the boards of several major corporations including First Interstate BancSystem and United Way. |
| Sister | Kristi Gates | Kristi Gates, also known as Kristianne Gates, has kept a relatively low profile compared to her brother, but has been involved in various philanthropic activities. |
| Sister | Libby Gates | Libby Gates, also known as Elizabeth Gates Armintrout, has been involved in charitable work and serves on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| Chest | Not publicly available |
| Waist | Not publicly available |
| Biceps | Not publicly available |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
As of now, Bill Gates is not publicly known to be in a relationship. He was previously married to Melinda French Gates.
Bill Gates was married to Melinda French Gates. They tied the knot on January 1, 1994. Melinda French Gates is an American philanthropist and former general manager at Microsoft. The couple has three children together: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.
| Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Melinda French Gates | Wife | Married from January 1, 1994, to their separation announcement on May 3, 2021. They have three children together. |
Bill and Melinda Gates announced their separation on May 3, 2021, after 27 years of marriage, stating that they no longer believe they can grow together as a couple in the next phase of their lives. Despite their separation, they continue to work together on philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Bill Gates, born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, is best known as the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation. He became famous for his role in revolutionizing the personal computer industry. Gates’ vision of having a computer on every desk and in every home helped to transform the way we work, communicate, and access information.
Bill Gates’ career in technology began at a young age. He showed an early interest in computer programming and, along with his friend Paul Allen, formed a small company named Traf-O-Data while still in high school. Gates later attended Harvard University but dropped out to pursue his passion for software development.
In 1975, Gates and Allen co-founded Microsoft. One of their early successes was adapting BASIC, a popular programming language, for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. In 1980, Microsoft struck a deal with IBM to provide an operating system for their personal computers. This led to the development of MS-DOS, which became the foundation for Microsoft’s success.
Some of Gates’ most popular works include the development and release of the Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office suite, and Internet Explorer web browser. Under his leadership, Microsoft grew to become a dominant force in the software industry.
- Time Person of the Year: Bill Gates, along with his wife Melinda Gates and U2’s Bono, was named Time’s Person of the Year in 2005 for their philanthropic efforts.
- Presidential Medal of Freedom: In 2016, Gates and his wife Melinda were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation: Bill Gates received this prestigious award in 1992 for his contributions to the development of the personal computer.
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE): In 2005, Gates was awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to global enterprise and poverty reduction.
Despite his numerous achievements, Bill Gates has been involved in several controversies over the years:
- Antitrust Lawsuits: In the late 1990s, Microsoft faced several antitrust lawsuits from the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission. The lawsuits alleged that Microsoft had engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its monopoly in the PC operating system market. The company was found guilty of violating antitrust laws and had to undergo significant restructuring.
- Privacy and Security Issues: Microsoft has faced criticism over privacy and security issues related to its software products, particularly Windows operating systems. Critics have pointed out vulnerabilities and the company’s approach to user data collection.
- Business Practices: Gates and Microsoft have been accused of employing aggressive business tactics to eliminate competition. This has included accusations of pressuring hardware manufacturers and software developers to favor Microsoft products over those of competitors.
- Conspiracy Theories: Bill Gates has been the subject of various conspiracy theories, particularly related to his philanthropic work in global health. Some theories falsely claim that Gates is using vaccination programs to control the global population or implant microchips in people.
FAQ
Q: Who is Bill Gates?
