Bill Gates

Bill Gates

Microsoft, one of the greatest companies in the world, but it is ruled by one person and his name is Gates, Bill Gates. Gates also is married to Melinda French Gates, both they started the Gates foundation with $27 billion funded to global heath and learning. When you think of the richest person in the world you might think of Gates.

Childhood/College

Gates was born in October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington. He was born in a rich family with two sisters. Gates' father; William Gates, was a Seattle attorney. His mother, Mary, was a school teacher, a UW regent and a chair woman of United Way International. Gates attended Lakewood Elementary School. At his school he had a high interest in computers and computer programming. When he was 18, he enrolled in Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He had a major in law. While at Harvard he lived across the hall from Steve Ballmer, the future chief executive officer of Microsoft. Gates joined MITS (Micro Instrumentation Telemetry Systems). The MITS team developed the Altair 8800. Altair got its name from the star approximately 15.7 light-years away from earth; it is also in the constellation Aquila (an eagle). The Altair 8800 was seen on the cover of Popular Electronics in the year 1975 (see Pictures). While at Harvard, MITS changed their name to Microsoft (Microcomputer Software). Paul Allen, the future co-founder of the Microsoft, joined MITS as the director of software. Gates took the class which had "Harvard's Toughest Math Classes". Gates dropped out of Harvard to join his fellow buddy, Paul Allen.

Adult Hood and Family

Gates at the age of 39, he was married to Melinda French Gates. They had three children. Their first child was named Jennifer Katherine, who was born on April 26, 1995. Bill's second child, Rory John Gates, was born May 23, 1999. Phoebe Adele Gates was their latest child, she was born in 2002. After they got married, Gates' mother, Mary Gates, died in 1994 due to breast cancer. Gates wrote many books, including his most famous, Business @ the Speed of Thought and The Road Ahead. After having their first child, they started the Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation helps treat acute lower respiratory infections, child health, HIV/AIDS, malaria, poor nutrition, vaccine-preventable diseases,