Bill Gates, born William Henry Gates III on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, is an American business magnate, software developer, and philanthropist. He is best known for co-founding Microsoft Corporation with his childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975.

Bill Gates grew up in Seattle with his two sisters, Kristi and Libby. His father, William H. Gates Sr., was a prominent attorney, and his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, was a school teacher and chairwoman of the United Way.

He developed an interest in computers and programming at an early age. He attended Harvard University but dropped out in 1975 to pursue his passion for software development. Microsoft became a leading software company, and Bill Gates played a crucial role in the development of the personal computer revolution.

He served as the company's CEO until 2000 and remained actively involved as chairman and chief software architect until 2006. Gates transitioned to a part-time role at Microsoft in 2008 and stepped down as chairman in 2014.

In addition to his work at Microsoft, He is known for his philanthropic efforts. He and his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, which focuses on global health, education, and poverty alleviation.

The foundation has donated billions of dollars to various causes, including efforts to eradicate diseases like polio and malaria. Bill Gates has also been involved in initiatives related to climate change and clean energy through organizations like Breakthrough Energy and TerraPower.

Bill Gates has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, the Padma Bhushan in 2015, and the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005.

He has also been recognized with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the Japan Prize. Bill Gates was named Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2005, along with his wife Melinda and Bono, for their philanthropic work.

Bill Gates and Melinda divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. They have three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe. Bill Gates remains one of the world's wealthiest individuals and continues to focus on his philanthropic endeavors and investments in technology and innovation.