William (Bill) H. Gates is chairman and chief software architect of the Mircosoft Corporation, the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft employs more than 55.000 people in 85 countries.
Born on Oct. 28, 1955, Gates grew up in Seattle. Gates attended public elementary school and the private Lakeside School.
There, he discovered his interest in softeware and began programming computers at age 13. In 1973, Gates entered Harvard University. While at Harvard, Gates developed a version of programming languagre BASIC for the first microcomputer - the MITS Altair.
In his junior year, Gates left Harvard to develope his energies to MICROSOFT, A company he had begun in 1975 with his chilhood friend Paul Allen. Guided by a belief that the computer would be a valuable tool on every office desktop and in every home, they began developing software for personal computers.
Gates foresight and his vision for personal computing have been central to the sucess of Microsoft and the software industry.
Under Gates leadership, Microsoft's mission has been to continually advance and improve software technology, and to make it easier, more costeffective and more njoyable for people to use computers.
In 1999, Gates wrote Business @ the Speed of Thought, a book that shows how computers technology can solve business problems in fundamentaly new ways. The book was published in 25 languages and was available in more than 60 countries.
Gates has donated the proceeds of this book to non-profit organisations that support the use of technology in education and skills development.
In addition to his love of computers and software, Gates founded Corbis, which is developing one of the world's largest resouces of visual information - a comprehensive digital archive of art and photography from public and private collecions arounf the globe.
Philanthropy is also important to Gates. He and his wife, Melinda, have endowed a foundation with more tha $27 Bilion to support philanthropic initiatives in the areas of global health and learning, with hopethat in the 21st century, advancesin these critical areas will be avaliable for all people.
Gates was married on Jan. 1, 1994, to Melinda French Gates. They have three children. Gates is an avid reader. andn ejoys playing golf and bridge.
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