Bill Gates
USA
Net Worth
$98B
Source of Wealth
Microsoft
Global Rank
#13 of 100
About Bill Gates
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the most influential technologists and philanthropists in modern history. Along with Paul Allen, Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 and led the company's transformation of personal computing from a hobbyist pursuit into a universal tool that empowered billions of people worldwide. His vision that there should be "a computer on every desk and in every home" seemed impossibly ambitious at the time but proved to be one of the most prescient predictions in technology history.
Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft developed MS-DOS, Windows, and Office — products that became the standard for personal and business computing for decades. Windows became the operating system for over 90% of the world's personal computers, and Microsoft Office became the essential productivity suite for businesses and individuals globally. Gates' strategic brilliance, technical depth, and competitive drive built Microsoft into the most valuable company in the world during the late 1990s.
Since transitioning away from day-to-day Microsoft operations, Gates has become the world's most impactful philanthropist through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has invested tens of billions of dollars in global health, education, and poverty alleviation, playing a critical role in dramatically reducing child mortality, nearly eradicating polio, and improving agricultural productivity in developing countries. His second career in philanthropy may ultimately have an even greater impact on humanity than his first career in technology.
Key Achievements
Co-Founded Microsoft
Built Microsoft from a two-person startup into the world's largest software company, creating products like Windows and Office that became essential tools for billions of people.
Democratized Personal Computing
Led the development of software that made personal computers accessible and useful to ordinary people, fulfilling his vision of a computer on every desk and in every home.
Transformative Philanthropy
Co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has donated over $60 billion to global health, education, and poverty alleviation, saving millions of lives worldwide.
Global Health Impact
Through the Gates Foundation, played a critical role in the near-eradication of polio, the dramatic reduction of malaria deaths, and the improvement of vaccination coverage in developing nations.
The Giving Pledge
Co-created the Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett, inspiring hundreds of billionaires worldwide to commit the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
Notable Quotes
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”
— Bill Gates
“It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”
— Bill Gates
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”
— Bill Gates
Key Decisions
Co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen after writing a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800, dropping out of Harvard to pursue his vision of personal computing.
Signed the deal to provide DOS to IBM for its personal computer, licensing rather than selling the software — a decision that became the foundation of Microsoft's dominance.
Launched Windows 1.0, beginning Microsoft's decades-long dominance in operating systems and setting the stage for the graphical computing revolution.
Established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with an initial endowment of over $20 billion, beginning his transition from technology leader to the world's most impactful philanthropist.
Co-launched the Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett, creating a movement that has inspired over 230 of the world's wealthiest people to commit to giving away the majority of their fortunes.
Explore More
See how Glen Bradford applies these principles to his own investing. Long Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac junior preferred — and not going anywhere.