William (Bill) Gates is most famously known as the founder of the Microsoft Corporation. However, in more recent years, the focus has shifted to his charitable nature. Alongside his wife, Melinda, Gates started the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and together the couple conquers the world of philanthropy.
Background
Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington in 1955. Gates was invested in technology and computer coding from an early age. After attending a private school in Washington and excelling in the SAT course, Gates was accepted into Harvard University. Subsequently, Gates dropped out after only two years. Driven by a desire to create his own company, and a beginning idea of the type of software he and an old high school friend would create as the product, Gates was determined in his decision to leave Harvard.
Microsoft
Bill Gates founded the Microsoft Corporation in 1975 alongside Paul Allen, and the company grew into the largest software company in the world. The company started as the two men coding and creating revolutionary software – ultimately changing the tech world forever. Today, Microsoft remains a tech super power, with Gates playing a major role. Up until 2000, Gates acted as CEO of the company. While he turned his attention to his foundation after 2000, he remained an active member of the company taking on roles such as chairman, chief software architect, and majority shareholder.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the wealthiest charitable foundation in the world, worth billions of dollars. The foundation provides help in many areas where there is need, from education needs, to medical research, and so on. The foundation’s basic mission is to provide the basics for people to become empowered, and thrive in the global world. The company focuses on issues that have an effect on a global level, and work to attack those rather than focus on regional areas.
While Bill Gates got his start as a fierce entrepreneur in the tech world, as his riches grew, so did his desire to be charitable and give back. Arguably the most charitable man in the world, Gates is a philanthropic exemplar because he not only recognizes the need for charity and volunteerism throughout the world, he has made it his life’s mission to provide it. Along with a personal desire to change the world for the better, Gates advocates for others to get out there and act as well. Through initiatives and partnerships, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has provided care all around the world, constantly working to find solutions to global issues and make the world a better place.