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Bill Gates - American businessman, investor, and philanthropist (born 1955)

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03.04.25
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Overview

William Henry Gates III, more famously known as Bill Gates, is an American businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, and humanitarian. He is best known for co-founding Microsoft Corporation, a technological juggernaut that revolutionized the personal computer industry. This timeline explores key moments in his life, charting his trajectory from a bright, curious child to one of the most influential figures of the modern era.
Main Milestones
Birth in Seattle, Washington
October 28, 1955
William Henry Gates III was born in Seattle, Washington, to William H. Gates Sr., a lawyer, and Mary Maxwell Gates, a businesswoman and schoolteacher. His upbringing in an upper-middle-class family provided him with a nurturing environment and access to quality education, fostering his early intellectual curiosity and drive.
Early Interest in Computers
Early 1960s
Gates demonstrated a keen interest in technology from a young age. While attending the Lakeside School, a private preparatory school, he was introduced to computers and quickly developed a fascination with programming. He, along with his friend Paul Allen, spent countless hours learning and experimenting with the school's computer systems.
Enrolls at Harvard University
1973
Gates enrolled at Harvard University to pursue a pre-law degree. However, his passion for computer programming continued to consume him. He spent much of his time in the university's computer labs, collaborating with Paul Allen on various projects, often neglecting his formal studies.
Microsoft's Founding
1975
A pivotal moment in Gates' life arrived when he and Paul Allen successfully created a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers. Recognizing the potential, they dropped out of college and founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This bold decision marked the beginning of their journey to transform the software industry.
IBM Partnership: MS-DOS
1980
Microsoft secured a landmark deal with IBM to develop the operating system for IBM's new personal computer. Microsoft did not have the necessary OS and purchased it from Seattle Computer Products (SCP), which they adapted and licensed to IBM as MS-DOS. This agreement catapulted Microsoft into the mainstream and laid the foundation for its future dominance in the PC market.
Microsoft Goes Public
1986
Microsoft went public in 1986, making Bill Gates a billionaire at the age of 31. The initial public offering (IPO) solidified Microsoft's financial stability and attracted significant investment, fueling its rapid growth and expansion.
World's Richest Person
1995 - 2006
Bill Gates held the title of the world's richest person for most of the period between 1995 and 2006. His wealth was primarily derived from his stake in Microsoft, reflecting the company's remarkable success and the increasing importance of technology in the global economy.
Marriage to Melinda French
1994
Bill Gates married Melinda French in 1994. Together, they established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which later became one of the largest and most influential philanthropic organizations in the world.
Formation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
2000
Bill and Melinda Gates consolidated several smaller charitable efforts under the umbrella of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, education, and other critical issues, investing billions of dollars in initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people around the world.
Steps Down as CEO of Microsoft
2000
Bill Gates stepped down as CEO of Microsoft in 2000, handing over the reins to Steve Ballmer. While he remained chairman and chief software architect, this transition allowed him to dedicate more time to philanthropic endeavors through the Gates Foundation.
Steps down from Microsoft's board
2020
Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft's board in March of 2020 to focus on his philanthropic work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This departure marked the end of an era, signaling his full commitment to addressing global challenges.
Divorce from Melinda French Gates
2021
Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage. While their personal relationship ended, they committed to continuing their philanthropic work together through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Other Themed Timelines

Awards and RecognitionAwards and RecognitionBooks and PublicationsBooks and PublicationsControversiesControversiesEarly Life and EducationEarly Life and EducationInvestments and Business Ventures (Post-Microsoft)Investments and Business Ventures (Post-Microsoft)Leadership at MicrosoftLeadership at MicrosoftMicrosoft Founding and GrowthMicrosoft Founding and GrowthPersonal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsPhilanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationPhilanthropy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation