Bill Gates is a co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, one of the world's largest technology companies. Born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, Gates showed an early interest in computers and programming. He dropped out of Harvard University to start Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975.
Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft became a dominant force in the software industry, particularly with its Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite. Gates served as the CEO of Microsoft until 2000 and later as the chairman and chief software architect. He stepped back from day-to-day operations in the mid-2000s to focus on his philanthropic efforts.
Together with his then-wife Melinda, he established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, which focuses on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. The foundation is one of the largest private philanthropic organizations in the world.
Gates is known for his significant contributions to technology and philanthropy, as well as for his public discussions on issues like climate change, global health, and education. Over the years, he has also authored several books and has become a prominent public figure addressing various global challenges.
