About
American business magnate, software developer, and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft Corporation alongside Paul Allen in 1975. A pioneer of the personal computer revolution, he led Microsoft into the world's leading PC software company before shifting his full-time focus to global health and development through the Gates Foundation.
Before Fame
Wrote his first software program on a General Electric computer at Lakeside School at age 13 and later scored 1590 out of 1600 on the SAT before enrolling at Harvard University in 1973, from which he took a leave of absence to launch Microsoft.
Trivia
Was the world's wealthiest individual according to Forbes uninterruptedly from 1995 to 2007, and pledged alongside Warren Buffett to donate the vast majority of his wealth to philanthropy through the Giving Pledge.
Family Life
Son of William H. Gates Sr., a prominent attorney, and Mary Maxwell Gates, a civic leader and businesswoman. He was married to Melinda French Gates from 1994 to 2021; they share three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.
Associated With
Co-founded Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen and collaborated closely with longtime business partner and philanthropist Warren Buffett.
