Bill Gates is one of the most famous and successful businessmen in the world. He founded Microsoft, which has become one of the largest companies of all time. But how much do you really know about Bill Gates?
In this blog post, we explore some fascinating facts about Bill Gates, his money, house, childhood, and life that you may not have known before. From his philanthropic efforts to his passion for technology and innovation, there’s a lot to learn about this incredible man.
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Facts about Bill Gates
Bill Gates is one of the most fascinating and influential people in the world. Here are some facts about him that you may not have known.
- Bill Gates is the richest man in the world.
- Gates has a net worth of over $90.7 billion.
- He is a co-founder of Microsoft, one of the largest tech companies in the world.
- Gates has been ranked as the wealthiest person in the world for 18 out of the last 20 years by Forbes magazine.
- In addition to his work in technology, Gates is also a philanthropist and has donated billions of dollars to charitable causes through his foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Gates’ house is one of the most expensive homes in the world.
- Gates has given away billions of dollars to charity.
- Gates’ childhood was fairly normal, although he was a math and computer prodigy.
- Gates dropped out of college to start Microsoft.
- Gates is known for his philanthropy, as well as his business acumen.
Bill Gates’ Money Facts
In 2018, Bill Gates’ net worth was estimated at $90.7 billion. Here are some fascinating facts about Gates’ money, house, childhood, and life that you may not have known.
Gates was born into a wealthy family. His father, William H. Gates Sr., is a prominent lawyer, and his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, served on the board of directors for First Interstate BancSystem and the United Way.
Gates began showing an early interest in computers and programming at age 13. He enrolled in Lakeside School, a private preparatory school in Seattle where he excelled in mathematics and science.
In 1973, Gates entered Harvard University as a freshman but dropped out two years later to pursue his business dreams full-time. Microsoft was founded in 1975 with Gates as its CEO.
Under Gates’ leadership, Microsoft became the world’s largest PC software company. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 but remained chairman and chief software architect until 2008. He is currently a technology advisor to Microsoft’s current CEO, Satya Nadella.
Gates is one of the most generous philanthropists in the world. In 2009, he and his wife Melinda founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is dedicated to improving global health and education. The foundation has donated billions of dollars to charitable causes around the world.
In 2014, Gates was named the richest man in America for the 16th year in a row.
Bill Gates’ House Facts
- The 66,000 square foot house is located in Medina, Washington.
- The house cost $63 million to build and took seven years to construct.
- Gates’ home has a trampoline room, an underwater music system, and a 60-foot swimming pool with an underwater camera.
- The estate also includes a 2,500 square foot gym, a guest house, and a staffed lodge for visiting friends and family.
- In 2013, the property was valued at $147 million.
Bill Gates’ Childhood Facts
Gates was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, to William H. Gates Sr., a prominent lawyer, and Mary Maxwell Gates, an active philanthropist and community leader. Gates grew up in an upper-middle-class family with his two sisters, Kristi and Libby.
As a child, Gates was a math and science enthusiast. He scored 1590 out of 1600 on his SATs and was a National Merit Scholar. Gates enrolled at Harvard University in 1973, originally intending to become a lawyer like his father. However, he became increasingly interested in computer science, and after taking a class on computer programming, he decided to drop out of Harvard to pursue a career in this field.
In 1975, Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. The company went on to become the world’s largest software producer. As Microsoft’s CEO, Gates oversaw the development of many groundbreaking products, including the MS-DOS operating system and the Windows line of operating systems. He also played an important role in shaping the personal computer market by establishing partnerships with computer manufacturers such as IBM.
In recent years, Gates has shifted his focus from Microsoft to philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation is the world’s largest private charitable organization and works to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty around the globe.
Bill Gates’ Life Facts
- Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington.
- His father, William H. Gates II, is a prominent lawyer. His mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, served on the board of directors for First Interstate BancSystem and the United Way.
- Gates has two sisters: Kristi (Gates) Warren and Libby (Gates) Armintrout.
- He attended public elementary school and the private Lakeside School. At Lakeside, he discovered his interest in computer programming.
- In 1973, Gates entered Harvard University as a freshman but decided to drop out after two years to start Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
- Microsoft’s first office was in Albuquerque, New Mexico; it later relocated to Bellevue, Washington.
- Gates married Melinda French in 1994; they have three children: Jennifer Katharine, Rory John, and Phoebe Adele. The couple also founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000.
What is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation?
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a private foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. Its stated mission is “to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty around the world, and in America.” The foundation is the largest private foundation in the world, with assets of over $43 billion.
The Gateses began their philanthropic work in 1994, when they created the William H. Gates Foundation, which was merged with two other foundations in 2000 to form the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2007, the foundation was restructured to focus its resources on global health and development, education, and access to information technology.
The foundation has been criticized for its support of genetically modified crops and agricultural biotechnology. It has also been criticized for its relationships with Big Pharma and for its role in promoting school privatization.
What are some of Bill Gates’ philanthropic endeavours?
As the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates has made a name for himself not only in the business world, but also in philanthropy. In 2000, he and his wife Melinda Gates founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is dedicated to improving healthcare and reducing extreme poverty around the world.
Since its inception, the foundation has donated billions of dollars to various causes. Some of its notable philanthropic endeavours include:
- Providing financial support to organisations working on developing a COVID-19 vaccine
- Donating $100 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria
- Giving $4.6 billion to the University of Cambridge to create a new college focused on tackling global challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence
These are just some of the many ways that Bill Gates has used his wealth to make a positive difference in the world.
Conclusion
It’s easy to understand why Bill Gates is such an intriguing figure. His life story is filled with interesting facts about his wealth, home, childhood and how he came to be the tech mogul that we know today. From his upbringing in a middle-class family and the founding of Microsoft to his philanthropic work around the world, there are many fascinating aspects of Bill Gates’ life that we may never have known if not for this article.
It’s clear that no matter what you think of him or his accomplishments, it’s safe to say that Bill Gates has become one of the most influential people in modern history.
