Early Life
William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He showed an early aptitude for technology, writing his first computer program at age 13. Gates attended Lakeside School, where he developed his interest in computers. At Harvard University, he met Steve Ballmer, the future CEO of Microsoft.
Rise to Success
In 1975, Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. The company was instrumental in the rise of personal computers. Microsoft went public in 1986, which made Gates, at age 31, the youngest billionaire at that time. He served as CEO for 25 years. Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system, and later Windows, became industry standards.
Key Business Strategies
Gates's leadership at Microsoft emphasized innovation and a vision for a computer on every desk. He focused on software development and licensing, creating a business model that dominated the industry.
Philanthropy
Gates transitioned from Microsoft to focus on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education. Gates and Warren Buffett founded The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to philanthropy.