founderexecutivedonor
Bill Gates
Chair of the Gates Foundation
Chair, Gates Foundation · Technology adviser, Microsoft
Background
Bill Gates (William Henry Gates III) is an American businessman and philanthropist.
He co-founded the software company Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
He served as Microsoft's CEO for the next 25 years.
After Melinda French Gates resigned as co-chair, he became the sole chair of the Gates Foundation.
Key facts
- Born
- October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washingtonsource
- Microsoft
- Co-founded in 1975 with Paul Allensource
- Gates Foundation
- Co-chaired with Melinda French Gates from 2000 until 2024; sole chair aftersource
- Giving Pledge
- Founded in 2010 with Warren Buffettsource
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 2016, awarded jointly to him and Melinda French Gates for philanthropic worksource
- Net worth
- US$106.5 billion as of July 2026, according to Forbessource
WYDE coverage of Bill Gates
Sources
Follow the money in philanthropy.
Who gives, who receives, and what it funds. Every Friday.