Bill Gates

$104.01 B

Ranked #19 in World

About Bill Gates

William Henry Gates III, born on October 28, 1955, is a prominent figure in the finance industry. Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 and played a vital role in establishing it as the leading software company in the world. He oversaw the development of groundbreaking software products such as MS-DOS and Windows. In addition to his success at Microsoft, Gates has an extensive investment portfolio and is the largest private owner of farmland in the United States. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, co-founding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health, development, and education. Gates continues to advocate for issues like climate change and invest in clean energy research. With an estimated net worth of US$140 billion, Gates is recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals globally.

Born

October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Age

70 years

Source Of Wealth

Microsoft

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Medina, Washington

Education

Drop Out, Harvard University

Spouse

Melinda French (Married: 1994; Divorced: 2021)

Children

Parent

Bill Gates Sr., Mary Maxwell

William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, to William H. Gates Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates. He attended Lakeside prep school, where he wrote his first software program. In 1973, he enrolled at Harvard College, majoring in pre-law but taking math and computer science courses. However, Gates left Harvard after two years to pursue his passion for software development.

Bill Gates: Family

Gates married Melinda French in 1994, and they have three children. They announced their divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.

Bill Gates: Career Highlights

In 1975, Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. Initially, they developed BASIC for the Altair 8800. Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft became the leading software company in the world. He served as chairman, CEO, president, and chief software architect. Gates oversaw the development of groundbreaking software products like MS-DOS and Windows.

Bill Gates: Companies

Gates has a multi-billion dollar investment portfolio, including stakes in companies like AutoNation, Canadian National Railway, and Cascade Investment LLC. He is also the largest private owner of farmland in the United States, with holdings totaling 242,000 acres. Additionally, Gates has been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures, including Corbis, EarthNow, and TerraPower.

Bill Gates: Major Achievements

Gates' major achievements include co-founding Microsoft and transforming it into a global technology giant. He played a pivotal role in the development of personal computing and made significant contributions to the software industry. Gates is also renowned for his philanthropic work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health, development, and education.

Bill Gates: Awards & Achievements

Gates has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to technology and philanthropy. He was named one of the most influential people of the 20th century by Time magazine and received honorary doctorates from several universities. In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.

Bill Gates: Personal Life & Legacy

Gates is an avid reader and enjoys bridge, tennis, and golf.

He follows a strict daily schedule and previously flew coach until 1997 when he purchased a private jet. Gates has a passion for collecting rare artifacts, including the Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci and the painting "Lost on the Grand Banks."

Bill Gates: Trivia

Gates has authored four books, including "The Road Ahead," "Business @ the Speed of Thought," "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster," and "How to Prevent the Next Pandemic." He is known for his philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has made significant contributions to global health and development.

Wealth History

Timeline

October 28, 1955

William Henry Gates III is born in Seattle, Washington, to William H. Gates Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates.

1973

Gates enrolls at Harvard College, majoring in pre-law but taking math and computer science courses.

1975

Gates co-founds Microsoft with Paul Allen, initially developing BASIC for the Altair 8800.

2000

Gates co-founds the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his then-wife Melinda, focusing on global health, development, and education.

2008

Gates transitions to a part-time role at Microsoft to focus on philanthropy.

2014

Gates steps down as Microsoft chairman, assuming the role of technology advisor.

2021

Gates and Melinda French announce their divorce after 27 years of marriage.

Bill Gates : FAQs

What is Bill Gates's current net worth?

Bill Gates's current net worth is $104.01 billion.

What is Bill Gates's current global rank among billionaires?

Bill Gates holds the 19th position globally among billionaires.

What is Bill Gates's current ranking within the United States?

Bill Gates holds the 15th position in United States.

What was the change in Bill Gates's net worth compared to the previous year?

Bill Gates's net worth increased by 164.77 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 103.84 billion dollars.

What are Bill Gates's main sources of wealth?

Bill Gates's main source of income comes from Microsoft.

In which industry does Bill Gates primarily operate?

Bill Gates is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Bill Gates educational background?

Bill Gates is a dropout from Harvard University.

How old is Bill Gates?

Bill Gates is 70 years old.

How many children does Bill Gates have?

Bill Gates has 3 children.

Where was Bill Gates born?

Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington, to William H. Gates Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates.

When did Bill Gates co-found Microsoft?

Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975.

What is the focus of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on global health, development, and education.

What controversies has Bill Gates faced?

Bill Gates has faced controversies related to antitrust litigation, his treatment of colleagues and employees, and scrutiny over his involvement in global health initiatives.