Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#19

Image: Joi Ito from Inbamura, Japan | CC BY 2.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Bill Gates

CEO, Microsoft

UNITED STATES

Real-Time Net Worth

$103.43B

Estimated based on Microsoft stock value as of June 4, 2026

-0.02% (24h)

Age

Source

Microsoft

Industry

Technology

Citizenship

UNITED STATES

Biography

Bill Gates is an American business magnate, investor, programmer, inventor, and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Microsoft. Born in 1955, Gates dropped out of Harvard University to pursue his passion for software, co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. His career at Microsoft saw him lead the company to become the world's largest software maker. Gates's net worth is estimated to be $107.7 billion as of February 2026. Beyond his tech endeavors, Gates is dedicated to philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, poverty alleviation, and education.

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Verified by Editorial Team

Live Data

Updated 6/4/2026

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Wealth Over Time

Career Milestones

1
1975
Co-founded Microsoft
Co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen, revolutionizing the software industry.
2
1986
Microsoft IPO
Microsoft went public, making Gates a billionaire at age 31.
3
2000
Stepped down as CEO of Microsoft
Transitioned from CEO to Chief Software Architect at Microsoft.
4
2008
Left full-time role at Microsoft
Focused on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Net Worth History

Year	Net Worth	Global Rank	Source
2026	$103.43B	#19	Forbes Real-Time
2025	$108B	—	Forbes List
2024	$108.2B	—	Historical Record

Philanthropy

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

$$XB

Global Health and Development

Focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

$$1.6B

Global Health

Commitment to deliver vaccines in the world's poorest countries.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

$$1.6B

Education

Funds education.

Portfolio Holdings

Microsoft

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He showed an early aptitude for technology, writing his first computer program at age 13. Gates attended Lakeside School, where he developed his interest in computers. At Harvard University, he met Steve Ballmer, the future CEO of Microsoft.

Rise to Success

In 1975, Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. The company was instrumental in the rise of personal computers. Microsoft went public in 1986, which made Gates, at age 31, the youngest billionaire at that time. He served as CEO for 25 years. Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system, and later Windows, became industry standards.

Key Business Strategies

Gates's leadership at Microsoft emphasized innovation and a vision for a computer on every desk. He focused on software development and licensing, creating a business model that dominated the industry.

Philanthropy

Gates transitioned from Microsoft to focus on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education. Gates and Warren Buffett founded The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to philanthropy.

Career Milestones

1975

Co-founded Microsoft

Co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen, revolutionizing the software industry.

1986

Microsoft IPO

Microsoft went public, making Gates a billionaire at age 31.

2000

Stepped down as CEO of Microsoft

Transitioned from CEO to Chief Software Architect at Microsoft.

2008

Left full-time role at Microsoft

Focused on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Global Health and Development

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

$XB

Focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education.

Global Health

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

$1.6B

Commitment to deliver vaccines in the world's poorest countries.

Education

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

$1.6B

Funds education.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."

"As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others."

"If you can't make it good, at least make it look good."

Leadership Principles

Visionary and Strategic Thinking

Gates articulates a clear vision for the future.

Intellectual Rigour and Continuous Learning

Always learning and adapting.

Empowering Employees

He empowers employees and encourages open communication.

Compare Bill Gates

Net Worth Face-off

Bill Gates vs Elon Musk

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Bill Gates vs Jeff Bezos

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Net Worth Face-off

Bill Gates vs Mark Zuckerberg

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Latest News & Analysis

Analysis•5/20/2026

Gates' Customer Service Shift: A Billion-Dollar Lesson in Humility, Hustle, and the Future of Founders

Bill Gates, a man who redefined the digital age, recently donned a headset, not a crown. His stint in customer support for his daughter's startup wasn't just a PR stunt; it was a masterclass in leadership, a calculated move to understand the shifting landscape of tech, and a stark reminder that even giants must roll up their sleeves. This story dissects the strategic brilliance behind this act, predicting its lasting impact on the startup ecosystem and the evolving role of the billionaire founder.

Read Story

Analysis•5/18/2026

Gates' Endgame: Microsoft's Final Break and the Billion-Dollar Battle for the Future

Bill Gates, the architect of the software age, has severed his last significant ties with Microsoft. This isn't just a corporate reshuffle; it's a strategic repositioning of unimaginable wealth and influence, signaling a seismic shift in the tech landscape. Prepare for a future where philanthropic ambitions, personal legacies, and the relentless pursuit of profit collide in ways we can only begin to imagine.

Read Story

Analysis•5/14/2026

Gates and the Memory Titan: SK hynix CEO's Secret Summit Signals Microsoft's AI Ambitions and a Seismic Shift in Silicon

Bill Gates, a man who doesn't do casual meetings, is reportedly huddling with the CEO of SK hynix. This isn't about mere pleasantries; it's a strategic power play in the burgeoning AI hardware arms race. Expect to see Microsoft's aggressive ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) push accelerate, and the memory market – already volatile – to be redefined in the coming years.

Read Story

Analysis•5/13/2026

Gates' Geothermal Gambit: Fervo's $1.89B IPO Signals a Renewable Revolution or a Risky Bet?

Bill Gates, a man who knows how to make big bets, just launched Fervo on an IPO, raising nearly $2 billion. This isn't just about clean energy; it's a play for energy dominance, and a calculated risk that could reshape the entire power landscape. Is this the dawn of a geothermal age, or a high-stakes gamble fueled by ambition and the insatiable need for a win?

Read Story

Analysis•5/13/2026

The Long Game: Why Billionaire Titans Like Gates and Cook Are Choosing the Executive Chair Over Sunset Years

Forget the rocking chair. The world's most powerful CEOs are opting for the executive chair, wielding influence long after most retire. This isn't about vanity; it's a strategic chess game, a relentless pursuit of legacy, and a bet on the future that's reshaping the corporate landscape. Prepare for a long war – and a complete restructuring of power.

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Analysis•5/13/2026

The Boardroom's Velvet Trap: Why Billionaire CEOs Refuse to Retire – And What It Means for Your Portfolio

The corner office, it seems, is the new fountain of youth. From Silicon Valley titans to titans of industry, a disturbing trend is emerging: CEOs are clinging to power, even after 'retiring'. This isn't about legacy; it's about control, ego, and the cold, hard realities of maintaining unimaginable wealth in a rapidly changing world. Buckle up; the old guard isn't going anywhere, and the implications are seismic.

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