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Bill Gates (born October 28, 1955) is an American business magnate, software developer, and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, which became the world's largest personal computer software company. Gates' innovations and leadership helped shape the modern technology industry. He is also recognized for his extensive philanthropic work, particularly through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Early Life and Education
Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington to a prominent family. His father, William H. Gates Sr., was a lawyer, and his mother, Mary Gates, was involved in business and philanthropy. Gates showed an early aptitude for technology and programming. He attended the elite Lakeside School, where he wrote his first software program at age 13.
In 1973, Gates enrolled at Harvard University, where he studied mathematics and computer science. However, in 1975, he dropped out of Harvard to pursue his dream of building a software company with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
Founding of Microsoft
In 1975, Gates and Allen founded Microsoft, with the mission to place a computer on every desk and in every home. They started by adapting BASIC, a programming language, for the early personal computer, the Altair 8800. Microsoft soon became the leading software company in the world after striking a deal with IBM to provide the operating system for its personal computers, which led to the creation of MS-DOS in 1981.
Gates played a key role in the development of Microsoft Windows, which was launched in 1985 and became the dominant operating system for personal computers. Under Gates’ leadership, Microsoft grew into a multibillion-dollar company and made Gates one of the wealthiest people in the world.
Leadership at Microsoft
Gates was the CEO of Microsoft from 1975 until 2000, when he stepped down to focus on philanthropy but continued to serve as chairman and chief software architect. His hands-on approach to management and sharp business acumen helped Microsoft navigate major technological shifts, including the internet boom.
Philanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
In 2000, Gates and his then-wife Melinda founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, now one of the largest private charitable foundations in the world. The foundation focuses on global health, education, poverty reduction, and access to information technology. Gates' philanthropic work has led to major contributions in combating diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and polio, as well as improving access to vaccines in developing countries.
In 2020, Gates stepped down from the board of Microsoft to focus fully on philanthropy.
Personal Life
Bill Gates married Melinda French in 1994, and they had three children together. In May 2021, the couple announced their divorce, but they have continued to collaborate on their foundation. Gates has remained a public figure, often speaking about issues such as global health, climate change, and technological innovation.
Legacy
Bill Gates is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the technology industry. His work has transformed the way people interact with computers and access information. Despite his controversial competitive practices during Microsoft’s rise, Gates is now celebrated as a global philanthropist whose work continues to shape public health, education, and technological development.
