William Henry Gates III
- Born:
- October 28, 1955, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Business magnate, Software developer, Investor, Author, Philanthropist
Early Life and Education
- Born to William H. Gates Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates.
- Attended Lakeside School, a private preparatory school in Seattle.
- Developed an early interest in computer programming.
- Enrolled at Harvard University in 1973, but dropped out in 1975.
Career and Major Achievements
- Co-founded Microsoft Corporation with Paul Allen in 1975.
- Led Microsoft as CEO and Chief Software Architect.
- Oversaw the development of groundbreaking operating systems such as MS-DOS and Windows.
- Transformed Microsoft into the world's largest personal-computer software company.
- Transitioned from CEO to Chairman and Chief Software Architect before fully focusing on philanthropic efforts.
Notable Works
- Author of "The Road Ahead" (1995) and "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need" (2021).
Legacy and Impact
William Henry Gates III, often referred to as Bill Gates, is a pivotal figure in the personal computer revolution. His entrepreneurial vision and technological innovation transformed the way people interact with technology. Beyond his business achievements, Gates's philanthropic endeavors through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have addressed global health, poverty, and education challenges, leaving an enduring impact on society.
Philanthropy
- Co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his then-wife, Melinda French Gates.
- The Foundation focuses on global health, development, and U.S. education.
- Significant contributions to eradicating polio, fighting HIV/AIDS, and improving sanitation in developing countries.
- Investments in education reform to improve student outcomes.