"Bill Gates" (1955 – ) American businessman, founder of Microsoft

William Henry Gates III, also known as Bill Gates, is a renowned American entrepreneur, investor, software developer, and philanthropist. He is best known for being the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, the world’s largest and most profitable software company. Born in Seattle, Washington in 1955, Gates was an inquisitive child and showed a keen interest in computers and technology from an early age. He attended Harvard University in 1973 and while there, he developed a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.

Gates dropped out of Harvard to co-found Microsoft in 1975 alongside his childhood friend, Paul Allen. The two worked together to develop the Microsoft BASIC, a computer language that allowed non-technical users to organize information and create programs. The company quickly gained a foothold in the computer industry and in 1980, they released their first operating system, Microsoft DOS. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Microsoft continued to expand its product line and by the late 1990s, it had become the leader in the software industry. Gates served as Microsoft’s CEO until 2000 when he stepped down to focus on philanthropy. He has since become one of the world’s leading philanthropists, donating billions to causes such as global health, education, and poverty alleviation. In 2009, Gates and his wife, Melinda, launched the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has become one of the world’s largest private foundations. Gates’ achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 and the Order of Lenin in 1987. He has also been named one of the world’s most influential people by Time magazine and one of the world’s wealthiest people by Forbes magazine. Gates’ success has made him a global icon and one of the most recognizable figures in the tech industry. Gates’ impact has been felt around the world, and his legacy as one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists will remain for generations to come. He has inspired many entrepreneurs and continues to be a beacon of hope for those striving to make a difference in the world.