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Last updated on: December 7, 2024
Bill Gates (born William Henry Gates III on October 28, 1955) is a name almost everyone recognizes. The co-founder of Microsoft had a great role in modernizing the technology landscape. Together with his childhood friend Paul Allen, Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 and revolutionized personal computing. He made computers an everyday tool in homes and offices around the world.
From a young age, Gates had taken an interest in technology. Having a supportive family, he could pursue his interests freely. He even created a traffic-monitoring system called Traf-O-Data before his Microsoft days. Although he joined Harvard, he left after two years to pursue his dream of building software for personal computers—a bold move that obviously paid off!
Under Gates’ leadership, Microsoft became the global software leader. Products, such as Windows and Office, became staples that began changing the way people worked, interacted, and associated. However, his journey is not without its challenges as the company faced legal persecution over anti-competitive practices back in the late 1990s. Despite this, he remains unmatched in his vision toward innovation. He stepped aside as CEO in 2000 and went part-time in 2008 to become full-time in philanthropic work.
Gates is an ardent philanthropist outside of business. With then-wife Melinda in 2000, Gates started the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with aims toward global health, learning, and reducing poverty in various parts of the globe. He has given so far more than $59 billion to charity. For such impact and contributions, Gates helped establish the Giving Pledge, along with Warren Buffett. This move motivated a considerable number of billionaires across the globe to donate virtually the rest of their fortunes.
Gates’s journey from a curious kid fiddling with computers to a global icon proves that big dreams, paired with dedication and a willingness to take risks, can change the world. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or someone passionate about giving back, Bill Gates’s story offers lessons for everyone.
As of December 2024, Bill Gates’ age is 69 years and 1 months old. His estimated net worth is $108 billion, and he is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm or 1.78 m) tall.
Bio / Wiki
Full Name
William Henry Gates III
Nickname
Trey
Profession
Business Magnate, Investor, Author, Philanthropist, Humanitarian, Founder of the Microsoft Corporation
Career
Best Known for
Bill Gates is best known for co-founding Microsoft, leading the personal computer revolution, and his philanthropic work through the Gates Foundation.
Awards
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
October 28, 1955
Age
As of today, Bill Gates is 69 years, 1 months, and 25 days old.
Zodiac sign
Scorpio
Signature
Nationality
American
Birth Place
Seattle, Washington, United States of America
Residence
Medina, Washington, United States of America
School / College / University
Bill Gates’s education began at Lakeside School in Seattle, where he shone and developed a love for computers. He had an impressive score of 1590 out of 1600 in the SAT and graduated as a National Merit Scholar in 1973. He later joined Harvard University, initially planning to study law but soon changing to math and computer science. However, after two years, he dropped out in 1975 to co-found Microsoft with Paul Allen.
Religion
Bill Gates’s views on religion are a bit complex. He values the moral lessons religion offers, but he doesn’t express strong personal beliefs. He raised his children in a religious setting, attending the Catholic Church with his ex-wife, Melinda. Gates has said he believes it “makes sense to believe in God,” but he also recognizes that religion historically helped explain the world before science. Overall, he’s more agnostic-more to appreciate mystery regarding the universe without committing to religious beliefs.
Race / Ethnicity
English, German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish
Food Habits
Bill Gates’s food habits are a perfect balance between health, sustainability, and personal taste.
He promotes plant-based eating for health and environmental benefits, with an emphasis on veggies, fruits, grains, and nuts. Though he has reduced his meat intake, he does enjoy his cheeseburgers, particularly those from McDonald’s and In-N-Out.
Another of his favorites is Diet Coke, with three to four cans a day, while still maintaining healthy food habits. He hardly eats breakfast, and when he does, it’s probably cereal, heavily sugared like Cocoa Puffs. He constantly encourages drinking water, lots of it.
Hobbies
Bill Gates engages in various hobbies that help him relax and unwind. For instance, he is a great bridge player whom he learned from his parents; he also plays with close friends such as Warren Buffett. His favorite board games are Settlers of Catan that he plays with his family, and he also enjoys tennis and even played a charity match with Roger Federer.
Reading is one big portion of his life, and he strives to read a book in a week, which cuts across many different genres. Travel is the other thing that excites him, and it has impacts in both his personal life and philanthropy. He relates this through virtual reality videos. Lastly, he collects rare books and luxury cars, such as the only manuscript by Leonardo da Vinci and several Porsche cars.
Tattoo
No tattoos on his body
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet: 5′ 10″
- In Centimeters: 178 cm
- In meters: 1.78 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 74 kg
- In Pounds: 163 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 38″
- Biceps Size: 13″
- Waist Size: 36″
Shoe size
10 (US)
Eye color
Blue
Hair Color
Salt and Pepper
Family
Wife
Melinda Gates (1994–2021) (Divorced)
Melinda French Gates was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. She is a renowned philanthropist and former tech executive. She graduated in Computer Science and Economics from Duke University and later earned an MBA. Melinda joined Microsoft in 1987, where she helped develop products like Microsoft Word and Encarta before leaving in 1996 to focus on her family.
In 2000, she established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with her ex-husband, Bill Gates. The foundation aims at eradicating poverty, education, and global health issues. She is a significant women’s rights activist and has been quite instrumental in trying to get more access to contraceptives for women in developing countries. She established Pivotal Ventures in 2015 to try and make social change for women and families.
After 27 years of marriage, she and Bill Gates separated in 2021, however, they continue to collaborate by working together through the foundation. Melinda has gained numerous awards, including the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2024, she stepped down as a member of the foundation to pursue independent philanthropy and received $12.5 billion for philanthropy work. Melinda remains very prominent in the fight to better women’s rights and education throughout the world.
Father
William H. Gates Sr.
Bill Gates Sr., an American attorney, philanthropist, and civic leader, was born on November 30, 1925. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later graduated from the University of Washington with his law degree. In 1964, he founded a law firm that later became part of K&L Gates, one of the world’s largest law firms.
Gates was also very involved in philanthropy. In 1994, he founded the William H. Gates Foundation, which later merged with the Gates Learning Foundation to become the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. He was also a leader in several civic organizations, including the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Planned Parenthood.
Apart from his professional life, Gates was a doting husband, who married twice and had three children, including Bill Gates. He survived until 14 September 2020, leaving behind lessons on service, philanthropy, and civic leadership.
Mother
Mary Maxwell Gates
Mary Maxwell Gates was a dedicated banker and philanthropist. Being married to William H. Gates Sr., she switched teaching to philanthropy. She made history by becoming the first female president of King County’s United Way. During her corporate boards’ period, she served and went for education and healthcare. Mary played a key role in the upbringing of her children and was honored with numerous awards for her service. She died in 1994, but her legacy lives on through Mary Gates Hall at the University of Washington.
Siblings
Kristianne “Kristi” Gates (Older Sister)
Kristianne Gates Blake was born in 1954. She is the older sister of Bill Gates and a private person. Her husband is John Blake. Kristianne has two kids. Kristianne is an accredited public accountant. She graduated in 1975 from the University of Washington. In Spokane, Washington, in 1987, she established her own firm under the name Kristianne Gates Blake, PS. Kristianne and her husband moved to Spokane for a more tranquil life. She respects privacy and keeps most of the things about her personal life to herself.
Libby Gates (Younger Sister)
Born in 1964, Libby Gates lives in Seattle and is a therapist for Seattle Family Support. She leads the Daring Way program, helping people learn how to develop skills to build resilience and courage in life. Libby follows in her parents’ footsteps, currently being on the boards of various groups, including Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Besides, she served on the University of Washington Board of Regents from 2019 to 2023. Like her mother, Libby is passionate about issues like education and health.
Children
Jennifer Katherine Gates (Daughter) (Born on April 26, 1996)
Jennifer Katharine Gates, born April 26, 1996, is the first child of the couple, Bill and Melinda Gates. She studied human biology at Stanford University and later took her medical education from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, coupled with a master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia. She is also an equine sportswoman performing show jumping. In 2021, she married equestrian Nayel Nassar and gave birth to a daughter named Leila. In 2024 they welcomed another girl Mia. She is passionate about public health and mental wellness and has been working for health and gender equality.
Rory John Gates (Son) (Born on May 23, 1999)
Rory John Gates is the only son of Bill and Melinda French Gates. He was born on May 23, 1999, and grew up in the family’s mansion in Washington. He attended prestigious schools including Lakeside School and Duke University. Rory graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 2022. The young man is quite modest, enjoys solving puzzles, and is very compassionate. Above all, he is keenly interested in law and public service. Rory’s bright future lies ahead and shall follow his parents in charity work.
Phoebe Adele Gates (Daughter) (Born on September 14, 2002)
Phoebe Adele Gates was born on September 14, 2002. She is the youngest child of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. She is a student of Human Biology at Stanford University and is interested in fashion and sustainability. She co-founded Phia, an eco-friendly fashion advocacy platform, and interned at British Vogue. She is also an advocate for reproductive health and women’s rights. She is famous for her social media presence, sharing life, activism, and fashion interests.
Phoebe is currently in a relationship with Arthur Donald, the grandson of musician Paul McCartney.
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Single
Marriage Date
January 1, 1994
Dating history
Melinda French (1987–2021)
Favorite Things
- Favorite Book – The Catcher in the Rye
- Microsoft Project – Windows, Office
- Favorite Fast Food Outlet – In-N-Out, Burgermaster
- Favorite Spread – Butter, Peanut Butter, Cheese Spread
- Baseball Team – Seahawks
- Favorite Chef – Nathan Myhrvold
- Favorite Cuisines – Indian, Thai
- Snack – Cheeseburger
Net worth 2024
$108 billion
As of December 2024, it’s estimated that Bill Gates has a net worth of about $108 Billion. His wealth comes from various sources, primarily his co-founding of Microsoft, one of the largest tech companies in the world. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how he makes money:
1. Microsoft:
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The Foundation of His Wealth: Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen, and it grew to become the world’s largest software company, known for products like Windows, Office, and Azure.
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Microsoft Stake: Although Gates stepped down from his day-to-day role at Microsoft, he still holds around 1.38% of the company’s shares. Given Microsoft’s current valuation, this stake is worth about $28.6 billion.
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Salary and Dividends: Initially, Gates earned a salary from Microsoft, but his major earnings came from the stock. Over the years, he has sold or donated large portions of his shares but still remains tied to Microsoft’s success through his remaining holdings.
2. Cascade Investment:
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His Investment Arm: After leaving Microsoft’s daily operations, Gates created Cascade Investment, a private firm that manages his wealth. Cascade owns a diversified portfolio, including stakes in companies like Berkshire Hathaway, Waste Management, and Caterpillar.
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Other Investments: Cascade also holds substantial investments in real estate, including stakes in upscale hotels and resorts, as well as interests in companies in the clean energy sector, such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
3. Real Estate and Energy:
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Real Estate: Gates has made significant investments in real estate. His private estate, known as Xanadu 2.0, is located in Medina, Washington. This tech-savvy mansion is estimated to be worth around $130 million, though it represents just a small fraction of his real estate investments.
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Energy Ventures: Bill Gates has also invested heavily in clean energy, including companies like TerraPower, a nuclear energy startup he co-founded, and other green tech ventures.
4. Berkshire Hathaway:
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Warren Buffett’s Company: Gates has a large investment in Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett’s investment giant. He has frequently praised Buffett for his investment strategies and is an active shareholder. These shares continue to grow in value, contributing significantly to his wealth.
5. Philanthropy:
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: While much of Gates’ wealth has come from his business ventures, a large portion of it has been directed toward his philanthropic endeavors. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education, has received more than $59 billion in donations since its founding. This gives him the dual distinction of being one of the wealthiest individuals and one of the most generous philanthropists in the world.
6. Daily Earnings:
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Earning While Giving: Despite giving away billions to charity, Gates still earns an average of $7.6 million per day, or about $319,634 per hour. His investments continue to pay off as his wealth grows, even as he continues to donate large sums to various causes.
7. Future Wealth Distribution:
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Gates has made it clear that his children will not inherit the vast majority of his wealth. He has stated that each child will receive $10 million, which is a substantial amount but nothing compared to his current net worth.
House
