Bill Gates

Bill Gates

1955-

Revolutionized personal computing worldwide

Published: September 16, 2025

Bill Gates

Have you ever imagined a computer the size of your school? Early machines filled whole rooms, but Bill Gates had a bold idea: make powerful computers tiny enough to sit on every desk! It all started with a spark of curiosity inside a young boy.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates was born in 1955 and loved solving puzzles with computers. As a teenager, he taught himself programming and even wrote his first software game. He spent hours writing code and dreaming up ways to help people learn and create. In 1975, at age 20, he co-founded Microsoft with his friend Paul Allen, aiming to make easy-to-use software for everyone.

Bill Gates

Microsoft built MS-DOS and later Windows, which showed friendly pictures and bright icons on the screen you could click with a mouse. Before Windows, computers used only text commands that felt like secret codes. Windows brought computers to life for kids, artists, and scientists. By the 1990s, billions of people used Windows PCs for school, work, art projects, and games, making computers pop up everywhere.

Bill Gates

After making billions, Bill turned his focus to helping the world. He and his wife, Melinda, created the Gates Foundation, funding vaccines that save millions of lives, schools that teach children everywhere, and clean water projects in many countries. His foundation uses data and science to solve big health and education puzzles. Bill’s journey shows that big dreams and kindness can make our world smarter and healthier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Bill Gates finish college?

No. He left Harvard in 1975 to build Microsoft. Harvard later awarded him an honorary degree in 2007.

What early software did he help create?

He and Paul Allen developed Altair BASIC in 1975 for the Altair microcomputer, an early product that helped launch Microsoft.

Is he still working at Microsoft today?

He stepped down as CEO in 2000, left day-to-day work in 2008, and left the board in 2020 to focus on other projects.

Has he written any books?

Yes. Notable titles include The Road Ahead (1995), Business @ the Speed of Thought (1999), and How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (2021).

Has he received major awards or honors?

Yes. Honors include Time Person of the Year (shared, 1995) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016), among several honorary degrees.

Did he face legal or regulatory challenges?

Yes. Microsoft was the subject of major antitrust lawsuits in the late 1990s and early 2000s, resulting in settlements and regulatory oversight.

Does Bill Gates still code or build software?

He no longer codes as a full-time job but stays informed about technology, occasionally explores technical topics, and advises others in the field.

What are some of his personal interests or hobbies?

He is an avid reader, enjoys playing bridge and tennis, and often discusses science, technology, and global challenges in public forums.