Bill Gates Biography | What is Bill Gates Most Famous For?
Bill Gates is an American tech pioneer and philanthropist born on October 28, 1955. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he developed a passion for computing in school. At age 20, Gates dropped out of Harvard University to co-found Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. The pair built software that powered early personal computers and made Microsoft a global leader.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Gates led Microsoft’s innovation in operating systems and productivity software. Under his leadership, Microsoft Windows became the dominant platform for personal and business computing. Gates served as CEO for over two decades and became one of the world’s wealthiest individuals thanks to the company’s success.
After stepping back from Microsoft’s daily operations, Gates shifted his focus to global causes. In 2000, he and Melinda French Gates created the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to tackle health, poverty, and education challenges worldwide. Over the first 25 years, the foundation gave away more than $100 billion to fight disease, improve education, and support development.
In 2025, Gates announced he will give away virtually all his wealth—an estimated $200 billion—by 2045 and close the foundation on December 31, 2045. This accelerated plan aims to save lives and reduce poverty faster. Gates said he wants to focus on urgent problems now, not after his death.
The foundation commits annual payouts close to $9 billion to expand health, education, and innovation programs before closure. It also partners with organizations to integrate AI tools into global health systems.
Gates also co-founded the Giving Pledge, encouraging wealthy individuals to donate most of their fortunes to charity. His work continues to influence technology and global philanthropy into 2026.
Bill Gates Age 2026 | How Old is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates is 70 years old in 2026. He was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, USA. Gates co‑founded Microsoft at age 20 and became a global tech leader. Moreover, he co‑founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fight disease and poverty worldwide. Now in his seventies, Gates focuses on philanthropy and giving away most of his wealth. Many follow his age and life as a tech pioneer and charity advocate.
Bill Gates Height | How Tall Is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 m). This height is around average for adult men. Despite his average stature, Gates became a global tech entrepreneur and Microsoft co‑founder. Over the years, he built Microsoft into a software powerhouse and led innovations like Windows. Moreover, Gates became a prominent philanthropist, co‑founding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His height never limited his influence, showing that determination and vision outweigh physical stature. Gates continues shaping technology and global philanthropy.
Bill Gates Religion | Does Bill Gates Believe in God?
Bill Gates does not identify with a specific religion but respects religious moral systems. He grew up in a Christian household with Protestant roots. Moreover, he has said it “makes sense to believe in God” while also valuing scientific inquiry. Gates and his family attended Catholic church services when his children were young. However, he describes his own faith as more ethical and philosophical than doctrinal. Gates sees religion as important for community and moral guidance.
Bill Gates Education
Bill Gates attended Lakeside School, a private prep school in Seattle, where he discovered programming at age 13 and met Paul Allen. At Lakeside, he wrote his first software and joined a student programming club, graduating in 1973 as a National Merit Scholar. He then enrolled at Harvard University, studying math and computer science, but left in 1975 to co‑found Microsoft. Despite not completing his degree, Harvard later awarded him an honorary doctorate. Gates’s early education and passion for computers laid the foundation for his success as a tech entrepreneur and global philanthropist.
Bill Gates Wife & Ex‑Wife | Melinda French Gates, Marriage, Divorce & Current Life
Bill Gates married Melinda French Gates in 1994 after dating for several years. They shared three children and built the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation together. However, they divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. Their split ended both their personal and professional partnership at the foundation. Shortly after, Melinda stepped down from the Gates Foundation and grew her own philanthropic venture, Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation. Bill has honored substantial financial commitments to her causes as part of their post‑divorce arrangements. Although no longer spouses, the former couple remain cordial and co‑parent their children at family events.
Bill Gates Partner | Girlfriend 2026
Bill Gates is in a serious relationship with Paula Hurd, his partner since around 2022. He publicly confirmed their romance in 2025, calling her his “serious girlfriend” and sharing that they enjoy life together. Paula Hurd is a philanthropist and widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. They have appeared together at red carpet events, the Olympics, and other global gatherings. Moreover, Gates balances his work, family, and this relationship while describing himself as lucky to have Paula in his life. Their partnership highlights Gates’s personal happiness after his 2021 divorce
Bill Gates Children | Kids Names, Ages, Careers & Family Life
Bill Gates shares three children with Melinda French Gates. Their oldest daughter is Jennifer Gates Nassar (born 1996), a medical doctor, equestrian, and mother of two children. Their son is Rory John Gates (born 1999), known for graduating with dual degrees and keeping a quieter public life. Phoebe Adele Gates (born 2002) is the youngest, an entrepreneur and advocate who co‑founded a digital startup. Although wealthy, Gates said he will leave his children less than 1% of his fortune to encourage independence and achievement. Moreover, the Gates siblings balance privacy with individual careers and public interests.
Bill Gates Family | Parents, Siblings & Early Life of the Microsoft Cofounder
Bill Gates grew up in a prominent Seattle family with strong intellectual roots. His father, William H. Gates Sr., was a respected attorney and civic leader who influenced legal and charitable communities. His mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, served on major corporate and nonprofit boards, helping shape his worldview. Bill has two sisters: Kristianne (older) and Libby (younger), both active in philanthropy and community work. Together, the siblings shared a competitive but supportive childhood environment encouraged by their parents. Moreover, this family upbringing helped fuel Gates’s early interest in education, leadership, tech innovation, and global giving.
Bill Gates Divorce | Settlement, $8B Payout & Post‑Marriage Life
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. They said they could no longer grow together as a couple. Moreover, they initially continued co‑leading their foundation before Melinda resigned in 2024. As part of their settlement, Gates donated nearly $7.88 billion to Melinda’s Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation to support women and families worldwide. Additionally, he made billions more to her other foundations, bringing total support to over $10 billion. Gates later called the divorce one of the biggest regrets of his life. Despite the split, they co‑parent their children and remain involved in charity work.
Bill Gates Organizations Founded | Microsoft, Foundation, Breakthrough Energy & More
Bill Gates co‑founded Microsoft Corporation in 1975, which changed computing forever and made him a global tech leader. In 2000, he and Melinda French Gates started the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations fighting disease and poverty. Furthermore, Gates co‑founded The Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett to encourage billionaires to give away most of their wealth. He also founded Breakthrough Energy in 2015 to accelerate clean energy innovation. Additionally, Gates Ventures serves as his personal innovation and investment office in tech, health, and climate. Moreover, he supported Graphyte, a carbon‑removal startup fighting climate change.
Bill Gates Epstein Files 2026: Allegations, Meetings, and Gates’ Response Explained
Bill Gates appeared in newly released Jeffrey Epstein files after the U.S. Department of Justice published millions of pages of documents. The files include emails that allege controversial personal matters involving Gates and unverified claims from Epstein’s drafts. However, a spokesperson called these allegations “absolutely absurd and completely false.” Gates has publicly acknowledged meeting Epstein several times while seeking potential philanthropic support, but he later said those interactions were a huge mistake and he regretted them. Moreover, being named in the files does not imply guilt or proven wrongdoing. Gates’s critics, including his ex‑wife Melinda, have linked these meetings to personal disagreements during their divorce. Despite the controversy, Gates continues his work in technology and global philanthropy.
Bill Gates Microsoft: History, Leadership, AI Strategy & Gates’ Legacy
Bill Gates co‑founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen, launching a software revolution that reshaped personal computing. Their first product, Altair BASIC, powered early computers and set Microsoft’s foundation for growth. Gates believed a personal computer belonged “on every desk and in every home,” driving Microsoft’s early mission.
Over decades, Microsoft expanded from Windows operating systems and Office software to cloud services and enterprise solutions. Today, Microsoft leads in AI and Azure cloud infrastructure, hosting diverse AI models and tools for developers. Although Gates stepped back from daily leadership years ago, he remains a valued technical advisor, guiding product direction and AI strategy. Moreover, the Gates Foundation Trust still holds Microsoft stock, reinforcing his long‑term confidence in the company. Gates’s vision and legacy continue shaping Microsoft’s role in technology and future innovation.
Bill Gates Net Worth 2026
Bill Gates’s net worth is around $106 billion in 2026, placing him among the world’s richest individuals. Although he once ranked among the very top global billionaires, Gates now sits well below the richest due to his massive philanthropy and giving pledges. Moreover, he has pledged to give away virtually all his wealth over the next 20 years to global causes. His net worth still benefits from investments and Microsoft stock holdings. Overall, Gates remains one of the richest and most influential philanthropists on the planet.