Happy Birthday Bill Gates: Life and Times of the Microsoft Co-Founder The Microsoft founder is a doting father, affectionate husband, compassionate human being and his success story is one that will remain etched in the annals of history for eternity

By Bhavya Kaushal

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Bill Gates Official Facebook

On Bill Gates' birthday, the whole world sees and cherishes this figure who embodies greatness in the frame of a simpleton. He has been the richest person in the world since a number of years, and yet he is the most humble figure who has selflessly dedicated his life to philanthropy as devotedly as to his profession. Here are a few snippets from the life and times of the world's greatest leader and man!

Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955, to a lawyer father and businesswoman mother. He has two sisters. Gates went to the Lakeside in Seattle where he met his senior and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Gates was a computer right from the beginning, rolling out several computerized systems right from his school days.

Bill Gates scored a staggering score of 1590 out of 1600 in SAT and was admitted to Harvard School of Business. However, his heart and mind were elsewhere. After a year, Gates dropped out of the prestigious university to set up his own business. While his days in Harvard were all about playing poker and video games once he left those premises, he toiled day and night to produce the greatest product of the 20th century.

In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft, a computer software that changed the face of the entire computer ecosystem. Microsoft is today billion-dollar company and one of the most valuable established in today's time.

Bill Gates met Melinda Ann French in 1987. A computer science and economics graduate from Duke University; the soon-to-be world's richest man was attracted to Melinda Ann French for her independent and forthrightness virtues. The couple got married in 1994. Melinda Gates has been the greatest force behind Bill Gates' philanthropic endeavours. The couple has 3 children.

Bill Gates is not actively participating in the day to day activities of Microsoft as the baton of the software business was handed to Satya Nadella soon after. America's greatest leader is now involved in charitable activities under the umbrella of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. According to Forbes, he has so far donated $35.8 billion worth of Microsoft stock to Gates Foundation.

There isn't any list of successful names in which Bill Gates' name has not been mentioned. From the billionaire's list to the world's richest man, his name has done and dusted the top ranks of every newspaper and magazine. And yet he wants his children to work hard. Despite his monstrous and impossible wealth, he clearly stated that his children would receive just $10 million each.

Bhavya Kaushal

Former Features Writer

I am a work-in-progress writer and human being. An English graduate from Delhi University, writing is my passion and currently, I was Entrepreneur India's start-up reporter. I love covering start-ups and weaving their stories into unforgettable tales with the power of ink! 
Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Branding

Creating a Brand: How To Build a Brand From Scratch

Every business needs good branding to succeed. Discover the basics and key tips to building a successful brand in this detailed guide.

Innovation

It's Time to Rethink Research and Development. Here's What Must Change.

R&D can't live in a lab anymore. Today's leaders fuse science, strategy, sustainability and people to turn discovery into real-world value.

Marketing

How to Better Manage Your Sales Process

Get your priorities in order, and watch sales roll in.

Business News

AI Agents Can Help Businesses Be '10 Times More Productive,' According to a Nvidia VP. Here's What They Are and How Much They Cost.

In a new interview with Entrepreneur, Nvidia's Vice President of AI Software, Kari Briski, explains how AI agents will "transform" the way we work — and sooner than you think.

Starting a Business

Passion-Driven vs. Purpose-Driven Businesses — What's the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?

Passion and purpose are both powerful forces in entrepreneurship, but they are not the same.