Bill Gates

October 28, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955. This world-renowned entrepreneur is most known for the successful company Microsoft. Gates is one of the most intelligent, successful, and wealthy men alive. Since he was a teenager, his life has been full of achievements. Gates is not only a prominent magnate; he also is a dedicated philanthropist. Let’s celebrate Gates’ triumphs.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

William Henry Gates III

Nickname:

Trey

Birth date:

October 28, 1955

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 9"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$134 billion

Background

William Henry Gates III, most known as Bill Gates, was born on October 28, 1955. Gates was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, in a wealthy family. His father, William H. Gates Sr., was a successful lawyer. His mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, was an executive and businesswoman. Mary Gates served on the board of directors for multiple companies. Gates has two sisters, Libby and Kristianne. Growing up, Gates’ parents were strict and encouraged him to win at everything he tried; Gates was rewarded for winning and penalized for losing. Gates attended Lakeside Prep School. When he was 13 years old, he wrote his first programming code. The code was a tic-tac-toe game that the user could play against the computer. Gates fell in love with software programming and how perfectly a machine interpreted codes.

At 17, Gates founded his first I.T. company, “Traf-O-Data.” It was a partnership with Paul Allen. The company had only minor success, but what Gates and Allen learned from it was invaluable to create years later the company Microsoft, one of the biggest companies in the world. In 1973, Gates enrolled at Harvard College. He dropped out of Harvard two years later in 1975. This would be the same year Gates and Allen co-founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gates became the president and C.E.O. of Microsoft.

In 2014, Gates stepped out of his part-time job at Microsoft to dedicate his full time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates was married to Melinda French from 1994 to 2021. The couple had three kids: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.

Career timeline

1968

His First Code

Gates writes his first computer code; a tic-tac-toe game.

1972

The Traf-O-Data

Gates builds his first technology company.

1975

The Microsoft Company

Gates becomes the co-founder of his most successful company, Microsoft.

1985

The Launch of Microsoft Windows

Microsoft launches one of the most popular computer operating systems, Microsoft Windows.

Why We Love Bill Gates

He is a philanthropist
In 2000, Gates and his then-wife founded the “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.” This non-profit organization fights against poverty, diseases, and inquiry. In 2020, it was named the largest charitable foundation in the world. Gates gives away most of his wealth to charitable causes.
He takes risks
In 1975, Gates dropped out of Harvard to be a co-founder of Microsoft — a bold choice. He believed in his dreams. Gates said that he wanted to try and that he could always go back to school if he failed.
He created a successful company from a young age
Gates created Microsoft when he was only 19 years old. He had a vision and made it happen with hard work and optimism.

5 Surprising Facts

He was arrested
Gates was arrested in Albuquerque and was bailed out by Paul Allen.
He is a humble traveler
Gates always flies in economy class even though he is a billionaire.
He is the wealthiest man
In 2013, Gates was the highest-earning billionaire.
He is an art lover
Gates purchased a Leonardo Da Vinci for $30 million.
He is a brilliant man
In his S.A.T.s, Gates scored 1590 out of 1600.