This article was originally published on Kueez
1. Bill Gates Wasn't The Easiest Child
William Henry Gates III was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. His father was a prominent lawyer, and his mother was on the board of directors for First Interstate BancSystem. Gates had an older sister, and the two were very competitive, whether it was playing cards or running a race.
Early on, Gates' parents noticed how smart he was, and they would buy him any book he wanted. He read through the encyclopedia and blossomed intellectually. However, his intellect became a bit of a pain for his parents and the people around him.
2. He Found His Love For Computers As A Teen And Met His Future Business Partner
At 13, Gates attended Lakeside School in Seattle, where he found his love for computers. It was here that he wrote his first software program. The parents at the school raised money to buy a computer for the students, and Gates was excused from math class to pursue his interest in understanding these machines.
Lakeside was also the place where he met Paul Allen, the other founder of Microsoft. Gates often credits the school for giving him the tools to pursue his passions. He once said, "The experience and insight Paul Allen and I gained here gave us the confidence to start a company based on this wild idea that nobody agreed with."
3. Attending One Of The Best Universities In The World
After graduating from Lakeside, Gates headed off to college at one of the world's best universities; Harvard. Initially, Gates was enrolled as pre-law, but he quickly changed his mind and worked his way through the upper-level math and computer science courses.
He had access to the best education globally, and it was also here that he met Steve Ballmer. They lived down the hall from each other and became friendly in their graduate-level economics class. The two became roommates and, later on, Gates would poach Ballmer and bring him on to be his successor as the CEO of Microsoft.
4. Bill Considered Becoming A Lawyer Like His Father
Gates' father was a prominent lawyer, and his parents always hoped Bill would follow in his footsteps. He even started school as a pre-law major but decided to pursue his dreams of working with computers. Throughout his childhood, Gates' parents were very pushy about his future.
His parents wanted him to reach his full potential because they saw how bright Gates was at a young age. Although he decided to go in a different direction that did not involve law, his parents are probably proud of the successful man he became. But even they had no idea just how much their son was going to change not only technology, but the world - forever.
5. He Dropped Out Of Harvard To Start A Startup
After working his way through the upper-level math and computer science courses at Harvard, Gates decided to drop out to pursue a startup with his childhood friend Paul Allen. He was spending more time writing software than attending classes, so staying in school wasn't the best decision for him.
One thing that Gates regrets about his short time at school is not being more sociable. He said he was so into getting good grades and taking lots of classes that he didn't have time to make more friends. Gates said he was so antisocial that he would never have known social clubs existed if it weren't for his friend Steve Ballmer.
6. Gates Started Developing Software For MITS Altair
While Gates was still at Harvard, he started developing the software for MITS Altair, the world's first personal computer. After he dropped out, Gates and his friend Paul Allen moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where MITS was based to start their own software company.
Pictured above are the first 11 employees of Microsoft, including Gates in the bottom left corner. Gates and Allen created BASIC, which was the programming language for the first personal computer. Their skills together were so strong, so they decided to start their own venture.
7. Gates Got Into Trouble Along The Way
Although Gates has always seemed like an upstanding citizen, his driving record would prove that wrong. The '70s were wild times for Gates as he got arrested twice within two years. However, today these things would only require a ticket, but they must have known the world would want to see this mugshot.
In 1975, Gates was arrested for the first time because he was driving without a license. He had just bought a Porsche, and he was racing it through the desert in New Mexico. Paul Allen had to bail him out. Two years later, he was arrested again for the same thing, plus he ran a stop sign.
8. Starting Microsoft
Gates and Allen were working with MITS at the time developing BASIC for the first personal computer. Allen named their partnership "Micro-Soft," a combination of microcomputer and software. The two opened their first office in New Mexico and hired one of their high school friends to join the team.
They dropped the hyphen and officially registered Microsoft with the Secretary of the State of New Mexico on November 26, 1976. Microsoft's Altair BASIC became popular with computer hobbyists, but it was often copied and distributed, which forced Microsoft to leave MITS and develop program languages for various systems. It was during this stage that Gates met one of the most popular and powerful men in the computer industry.
9. Steve Jobs Asked Him To Build Software Exclusively For Apple
Steve Jobs was building Apple around the same time that Bill Gates was coming up in the software development world. Jobs asked Gates to develop software exclusively for the Macintosh. Throughout the '70s, Microsoft was making most of its money on software for Apple computers.
The two tech giants had a good relationship for the next few years, but Gates felt that Jobs was using him for the software. He said, "He's in his Steve Jobs sales mode, but kind of the sales mode that also says 'I don't need you, but I might let you be involved.'" Soon their relationship would take a turn for the worse.
10. Microsoft Announces Windows
In 1983, Microsoft revealed their plans for Windows. It was a graphical user interface like Apple had for the Macintosh. When Jobs heard about this, he was livid. He thought Gates was stealing ideas from them and called a meeting to discuss this issue. However, that wasn't stopping Gates.
In 1985, Windows went public, and they struck a deal with IBM to develop a separate operating system. However, the partnership fell through because of creative differences. Within the next few years, the release of Windows would change Gates' life forever.
11. Thus Began The Hot And Cold Relationship Between The Tech Giants
Jobs was furious with Gates about the release of Windows, and their working relationship fell apart. Gates knew the graphical interface would be so successful and didn't think Apple had exclusive rights to that. Gates also knew that Apple took the interface idea from Xerox PARC labs.
After Jobs accused Gates of stealing, he replied, "Well, Steve, I think there's more than one way of looking at it. I think it's more like we both had this rich neighbor named Xerox, and I broke into his house to steal the TV set and found out that you had stolen it already."
12. He Became The Youngest Billionaire At 31 Years Old
Despite this publicized competition, Gates continued to grow Microsoft. When Windows was released, Microsoft was doing $140 million in annual sales. In 1986, the company went public, and for ten years, the stock skyrocketed, making plenty of people millionaires.
While people were getting rich off Microsoft stock, Gates became the world's youngest billionaire. By age 31, Gates made his first billion, and he was seen as one of the most successful men in the industry. Money continued to pour in as Gates built a software monopoly. But Gates was about to become rich in other ways when a young woman walked in the door for her first interview.
13. Melinda Joins The Microsoft Team
Microsoft continued to grow and Melinda French was hired as a marketing manager for the company. She was responsible for the development of various multimedia products, including Word, Publisher, Encarta, and Microsoft Bob. Melinda was fresh out of graduate school and hungry for opportunity.
Before her career at Microsoft, she was tutoring students in mathematics and computer programming. Melinda wasn't planning to work for Microsoft because she was offered a position at IBM, but decided to go to the interview anyway. A recruiter told her there were more advancement opportunities at Microsoft, so she took the job.
14. They Didn't Meet When She First Started Working
When Melinda began working at Microsoft, she didn't meet Bill right away. Coincidentally, they were sat next to each other at a trade fair dinner, and there was an instant connection. Bill asked if they could go to dinner "two weeks from tonight," but Melinda said he wasn't spontaneous enough.
Melinda gave him her number and told Bill to call her closer the day he wanted to go out. He surprised her and called Melinda later that night. Bill said, "Is this spontaneous enough for you?" It turns out she liked that initiative, and they began dating shortly after. It seemed like everything was going perfectly until disaster struck.
15. Accused Of Abusing Power As A Software Monopoly
Just as he became the richest man in the world with a net worth of $12.9 billion in 1995, and his love life was going well, Microsoft hit a bump. The company was brought up on charges that it was abusing its power as a software monopoly.
Gates spoke at the deposition, and he was argumentative, according to reports. Microsoft was being accused of violating the American antitrust law and putting restrictions on competing PC manufacturers. Microsoft was forced to share its programming interfaces with third-party companies.
16. He Had A Mixed Reputation In The Public Eye
After the deposition, the public had mixed opinions about Gates. He argued with the examiner, and people didn't like the way he avoided questions. Even the judge laughed and shook his head while listening to the two go back and forth.
Gates later admitted that he was rude to the prosecutor, so you have to give him credit for admitting his mistakes. Although Gates denied it, the judge ruled Microsoft violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, and they had to settle in court.
17. He Made A List Of Reasons Why He Should Or Shouldn't Marry Melinda
While all of this was going on in his work life, Gates had to make big decisions in his personal life as well. As their relationship became more serious, Bill made a list of pros and cons to help him decide if they should get married or break up.
Although Melinda and Bill were more than in love, he still had to think about his company. Bill had a whiteboard with a real list because he didn't know if he could be committed to Melinda while simultaneously running this multi-billion dollar business.
18. Marrying One Of His Employees
In the end, the decision was clear; Bill couldn't let Melinda get away. In 1994, Melinda and Bill got married on New Years Day in Hawaii. They kept the wedding private by booking all the rooms in the hotel, and the intimate gathering reportedly cost around $1 million.
Along with renting out the entire hotel, they also rented all the helicopters in Maui to prevent people from flying over the secret event. After the wedding, unlike normal couples, they didn't go on a typical honeymoon. Instead, they started working on their first joint venture together.
19. Coming Up With A Joint Venture
Before their wedding, they went on a trip to Africa to celebrate their engagement. While there, the couple encountered people who were living in extreme poverty. While walking along the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, Bill and Melinda discussed how they could use their fortune to help others.
In an interview, Melinda said, "It's not fair that we have so much wealth when billions of others have so little." The couple started to think of ways to give back, which is how the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was born.
20. The Beginnings Of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Previously known as the William H. Gates Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation came to life in 2000. After their eye-opening trip to Africa, the couple wanted their foundation to reduce extreme poverty, provide educational opportunities and access to technology, and enhance healthcare worldwide.
When it began, they combined three family foundations, and Bill donated stock worth $5 billion to get it running. Today, it has become the world's wealthiest charitable foundation, with assets valued at $40.3 billion. Since its creation, the foundation has given away over $41 billion. But that is still only a fraction of what the world's most powerful couple are up to today.
21. The Couple Has Dedicated Themselves To Making A Difference In The World
With the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the couple has made a major difference in the world. They both look up to people like David Rockefeller, who they model their charity work after. Both Bill and Melinda care about tackling global issues that are not addressed by the government.
Along with fellow billionaire Warren Buffet, the couple signed a commitment to donate half of their wealth to charity over time. In 2007, the Gates' were named the second most charitable couple in America, and they are still holding that spot today.
22. How Do They Make Their Marriage Look So Easy?
This year, Bill and Melinda celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. They have made their relationship look so easy throughout the past three decades because they keep it pretty private. You will never see them fight in public because they are such a high-profile couple.
When they first began dating, the couple kept a low profile and asked everyone to respect their privacy. Melinda says that the key to their relationship is mutual respect for one another. They also share many of the same goals and values, which helps minimize arguments.
23. It Wasn't Always Easy Living In The Public Eye
When you start dating someone as high-profile as Bill Gates, it's not going to be smooth sailing from the start. It took some time for the couple to go public with their relationship because she was an employee, and he was the CEO. It was also a difficult adjustment for Melinda, who wasn't used to the attention.
Melinda's mother thought it was a bad idea to date the CEO, and she had some doubts herself. At first, it was weird to go from normal life to fancy parties, eating expensive foods, and meeting such important people. In order to make this high-pressure life work in the spotlight, the two had to create some ground rules that nobody knew about.
24. They Always Show A United Front
Throughout their relationship, Bill and Melinda have had a lot to juggle between the massive company, successful foundation, and their growing family. But through it all, they have remained united in all aspects of life.
Of course, this doesn't mean they haven't had their differences. In an interview, Melinda said, "Just like in a family with kids, in business, we show up with a united front that this is who we are." Bill and Melinda have always practiced this because it helps them with the stress of everything.
25. They Have To Have Hard Conversations Just Like Other Couples
As two people who have crazy amounts of money and live in the public eye, you would think they are far from ordinary; however, they have hard conversations just like normal couples. Both Bill and Melinda have admitted that they still have arguments just like everyone else.
In many interviews, they are asked about their relationship and if they have arguments. In one conversation, Melinda replied, "I would say this, neither of us is afraid of a little bit of grit in the system, neither in business nor in our marriage. That's how you actually grow. And so we will have tough conversations."
26. Date Nights Are Key To A Long Lasting Marriage
One thing that is important to the success of their relationship is date night. When they go out, they have rules to keep the dates light and fun. The essential rule is not to bring up specific topics while they are on a date. Their romantic time is supposed to be enjoyable, so they remove the stress.
Certain topics that they leave at home include the children, business, the foundation, and even politics. Basically, anything that might cause an argument is left at home because they do not bicker in public. Bill and Melinda take the time to talk about them as a couple instead.
27. Melinda Was Attracted To His Ambition And Curiosity
Something that has always attracted Melinda is Bill's brilliant mind. When they met, she had a lot of respect for him, and he felt the same about her. Melinda always loved his curiosity and sense of fun. He was also like the men she hung out with in college.
Although it is hard to imagine Bill Gates cracking jokes, Melinda has talked about his sense of humor and how it drew her in. She once said that he was funnier than she expected and she didn't know someone like him had time for fun until they started dating. In no time, the two were about to get the most important news of their lives.
28. Big Baby News For Bill And Melinda
Two years after they wed, Bill and Melinda excitedly welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer Gates, in 1996. The beautiful baby girl brought so much light and joy to the busy business people. Everyone was curious about how these incredibly wealthy people would be as parents.
Jennifer was everything they had hoped for, but they didn't want to stop at one child. The couple decided to expand their family around the time that their daughter was two. Melinda also decided to leave the company to focus more on charity work and being a mom.
29. Building Their Family
In 1999, the Gates family expanded by one more when they had their son Rory. A few years later, in 2002, they welcomed their youngest daughter Phoebe, and their family was complete. The public curiously waited to see how their children would be raised with so much wealth.
Would the children be spoiled beyond their wildest dreams? Or would they grow up like normal kids? It would be hard to call them normal with a dad like Bill Gates, but their parents tried their best to keep the children grounded and humble.
30. Making Time For Special Moments
With parents who are known worldwide, you would think they would always be away on business trips. However, Bill and Melinda made a point to always be there for their children. They never missed a holiday or birthday, and they made their children feel loved beyond words.
Whatever the kids have pursued, Bill and Melinda have supported their goals. For example, Jennifer Gates is an avid equestrian, so her father bought her an entire street in Florida to practice riding and train for competitions.
31. Bill Never Let Work Get In The Way Of Being A Father
For someone running a trillion-dollar corporation, it seems like it would be hard to be a devoted dad. However, Gates has always been there for his children. He drove them to school each day and cherished the times they had chatting about life.
Most of the world doesn't see this side of him, but Bill loved listening to music on the way to school and making sure he knew what was going on with them. He didn't want to be an uninvolved father, and there is no denying that he would do anything for his children.
32. Despite Their Wealth, They Treat Their Children Like Regular Teens
Today, Bill Gates is worth around $102 billion. Although he has more money than he knows what to do with, that does not mean his children are spoiled. Just like every other child, they have chores and have to work to earn things. The Gates children didn't get cellphones until they were 14.
Although they have been exposed to things that most people will never experience, the three children are still very grounded. When their parents ask them to do something, they do not argue; they get it done. They will also be leaving 95 percent of their fortune to charity instead of their children.
33. The Kids Are All Grown Up
Today the Gates children are all grown up. Jennifer is 24-years-old and studying medicine in New York City. Apparently, her parents bought her a $5 million home on Fifth Avenue, which is not typical for a normal person. Her younger brother Rory keeps a low profile, but we know he graduated from Duke like his mother.
The youngest, Phoebe Gates, recently turned 18-years-old. Above, she is pictured with Jennifer when the family went on a luxury vacation. Phoebe currently attends the New York School of Ballet to pursue her passion for dance.
34. He Stepped Down As CEO And Put His Ex-Roommate In Charge
In 2008, Bill Gates shocked everyone with his announcement that he would be stepping down as CEO of Microsoft. He is still very much involved in the company, but he gave his position to his old college roommate, Steve Ballmer.
In 2020, he stepped down from the board of directors to devote more time to philanthropy. Throughout the last decade, he slowly stepped away from day-to-day operations, and now he is fully turning his focus to other projects. Those projects are some of the most expensive in the world.
35. A House Fit For The Richest Man In The World
After Bill and Melinda got married, they purchased their first home together in Medina, Washington. The home is nicknamed Xanadu 2.0, and it has many futuristic features. The home took seven years and $63 million to build, and today it is valued at $127 million.
The futuristic fortress includes an underwater sound system and computerized pins to customize temperature, lighting, and music for each person that enters the home. It also has 24 bathrooms and a 23 car garage. This house is perfect for one of the richest men in the world.
36. His Family Has The Best Book Collection
Something that has always brought Bill and Melinda Gates together is their love of reading. Their mega-mansion has a dome library filled to the brim with the best book collection money can buy. They read everything from romantic novels to classic literature.
When they created the room, Gates hired a rare-books dealer to curate the collection. Among his collection are rare finds like Leonardo da Vinci's "Codex Leicester," a 15th-century manuscript that Gates bought for $30.8 million at an auction in 1994.
37. He Finally Got His Harvard Degree
Although he dropped out of Harvard after only two years of studying, in 2007, the school rewarded him with an honorary doctorate. He has received many of these honorary degrees, but this one meant the most because it was from his alma mater.
Gates began his speech by saying, "I'm a bad influence. That is why I was invited to speak at your graduation. If I had spoken at your orientation, fewer of you might be here today." He has also donated millions to the school to fund computer-related programs.
38. Did He Predict Coronavirus?
In recent news, Bill Gates has had conspiracy theories linked to him and coronavirus. In 2015, an unknowing Gates went on stage for a TED conference and gave a grave warning. He said, "If anything kills over 10 million people over the next few decades, it is likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than war."
Coincidentally, five years later, millions of people worldwide are dying due to COVID-19. That speech has now been viewed over 64 million times, and people wonder how these things are linked. Some people have gone as far as blaming him for secretly spreading the virus.
39. He Denies Conspiracies About Coronavirus Vaccines And Tracking Implants
Another popular conspiracy has been that Gates wants to use a coronavirus vaccine to implant tracking devices into everyone in the world. Yes, you read that correctly, and it sounds rather far-fetched, but people believe this. Gates recently made statements denying this ridiculous claim.
The Gates Foundation has donated millions to COVID relief funds and vaccine research. In a recent interview addressing these theories, he said, "We need to get the truth out there. I hope it will die down as people get the facts." We think it's safe to assume that we can't blame Bill Gates for this.
40. For Years, He Was The Richest Man In The World
Despite all of this, nothing can take away from his legacy. Between 1995 until 2014, Bill Gates was the wealthiest man in the world. Microsoft brought him immense success, and he was self-made. He grew everything from the ground up, and few people could match his level of wealth and success.
Today, Jeff Bezos holds the top spot above Bill Gates, but no one can compare to this man. With the incredible work he and his wife do and the advancements he has provided for the world of technology, he will go down in history as an icon.