Bill Gates is a 71 year old American technology pioneer, cofounder of Microsoft, and one of the most influential philanthropists in the world. His estimated net worth is $120 billion, and his journey from a curious student in Seattle to a global leader in technology, health and climate has shaped modern life. This guide covers his age, height, weight, family, relationships, education, career, charity work and social media.
Bill Gates Quick Facts
The table below gives the most important information about Bill Gates at a glance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Henry Gates III |
| Age | 71 years old |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1955 |
| Birthplace | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) |
| Weight | 65 to 74 kg (143 to 163 lbs) |
| Net Worth | $120 billion |
| Known For | Cofounder of Microsoft, philanthropy, global health and climate work |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Melinda French Gates (1994 to 2021) |
| Girlfriend | Paula Hurd |
| Past Relationships | Ann Winblad, Jill Bennett |
| Children | Jennifer, Rory and Phoebe |
| Parents | William Henry Gates Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates |
| Siblings | Kristianne Gates Blake and Libby Gates MacPhee |
| Education | Lakeside School, Harvard University (1973 to 1975) |
| Personal Blog | Gates Notes |
Who Is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates is an American business magnate, software developer, investor, author and philanthropist. He cofounded Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975, and the company went on to build the software that powered the personal computer revolution. Products such as MS DOS, Windows and Microsoft Office brought computers into homes, schools and offices around the world.
For many years Gates held the top spot on global rich lists. Later in life he shifted his focus from business to humanitarian work. Through the Gates Foundation he has funded efforts to fight malaria, polio, HIV and other diseases, to improve sanitation, and to support education and agriculture in developing countries. He is also an outspoken voice on climate change and the future of artificial intelligence.
Fans search for Bill Gates for many reasons. Some want to know about his wealth, some about his family and relationships, and others about his habits, books and ideas. This guide brings those answers together in one place.
Age, Height and Weight
How Old Is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates is 71 years old. He was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He is the third William Henry Gates in his family, which is why he was called "Trey" by relatives when he was young.
Bill Gates Height
Bill Gates stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, which is 1.78 meters. This is slightly above the average height for American men of his generation.
Bill Gates Weight
His weight is generally reported in the range of 65 to 74 kg, or 143 to 163 lbs. He has long been known for a lean build and a simple, practical approach to food and fitness.
Net Worth
Bill Gates has an estimated net worth of $120 billion. This places him among the richest people in modern history. The foundation of his fortune is Microsoft stock, which he held in large amounts for decades after the company went public in 1986.
How Bill Gates Built His Wealth
Gates earned most of his early wealth through Microsoft. When the company went public, the value of his shares rose sharply, and he became a billionaire at a very young age. Over time he sold portions of his Microsoft holdings and moved money into a wide range of investments through his private investment firm, Cascade Investment. These holdings include farmland, hotels, railways, real estate and shares in major public companies.
Giving Away Wealth
Gates has transferred tens of billions of dollars to his foundation. Because of this large scale giving, his fortune is smaller than it would be if he had kept every share. In 2010 he and Warren Buffett launched the Giving Pledge, which encourages billionaires to donate most of their wealth to charity.
Early Life and Parents
Bill Gates grew up in a comfortable and intellectually active household in Seattle. His parents encouraged curiosity, competition and public service, and these values shaped his later life.
Father: William Henry Gates Sr.
Bill Gates' father, William Henry Gates Sr., was a respected Seattle attorney and a community leader. He worked for many years as a lawyer and later became a cochair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's early work in global health. He was known for his calm advice and for pushing his children to think about the wider world.
Mother: Mary Maxwell Gates
His mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, was a schoolteacher and a leader in civic organizations. She served on the board of the United Way and sat alongside executives from large companies. That connection is often credited with helping Microsoft connect with IBM in its early years. She strongly encouraged her son to give back to the community.
A Childhood of Books and Curiosity
As a boy, Gates was a voracious reader. He enjoyed encyclopedias, science and math, and he was known to be intensely competitive in games and school contests. His parents saw his talent early and enrolled him in a private school that would change his life.
Siblings
Bill Gates grew up with two sisters. Kristianne Gates Blake is his older sister, and Libby Gates MacPhee is his younger sister. Both have kept a relatively private life compared with their famous brother, though the family has stayed close over the years and has often been seen together at family events and charity activities.
| Sibling | Relation |
|---|---|
| Kristianne Gates Blake | Older sister |
| Libby Gates MacPhee | Younger sister |
Education
Lakeside School
Bill Gates attended Lakeside School, a private preparatory school in Seattle. It was at Lakeside that he first used a computer terminal, which sparked his passion for programming. He wrote his first software programs there and became close friends with fellow student Paul Allen. Their friendship would later become the foundation of Microsoft.
Harvard University (1973 to 1975)
After finishing school, Gates enrolled at Harvard University in 1973. He studied there until 1975, when he left to focus on building a software company. He is one of the most famous university dropouts in history, although Harvard later awarded him an honorary degree. His time at Harvard is often remembered for his late night programming sessions and his skill at poker and problem solving.
| Institution | Period | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeside School | Childhood and teen years | First exposure to computers, met Paul Allen |
| Harvard University | 1973 to 1975 | Left early to start Microsoft |
Wife, Ex Wife and Marriage History
Bill Gates does not have a current wife. He was married to Melinda French Gates from 1994 until they divorced in 2021.
Marriage to Melinda French Gates
Bill Gates and Melinda French met when she joined Microsoft as a product manager in the late 1980s. They married on January 1, 1994, in a small ceremony in Hawaii. Together they built one of the largest charitable foundations in the world and raised three children.
Divorce in 2021
In May 2021 the couple announced that they were ending their marriage after 27 years. The divorce was finalized later that year. They said they would continue to work together at the foundation, although Melinda later stepped away from her role to pursue her own philanthropic work. The couple coparented their children and have often spoken about keeping the family close.
| Marriage Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Melinda French Gates |
| Marriage Year | 1994 |
| Divorce Year | 2021 |
| Current Wife | None |
Relationships and Girlfriend
Bill Gates has had several well known relationships during his life. His past relationships include Ann Winblad and Jill Bennett, and his current girlfriend is Paula Hurd.
Ann Winblad
Ann Winblad is a software entrepreneur and venture capitalist. She and Gates dated in the early years of Microsoft's rise, and they remained friends long after the romance ended. She is widely respected in the technology investment world.
Jill Bennett
Jill Bennett is another woman linked to Bill Gates in his earlier years. She is listed among his past relationships, and the two are remembered as part of his life before his marriage.
Paula Hurd
Paula Hurd is the widow of Mark Hurd, the former chief executive of Oracle and former cochief executive of Oracle after earlier leading Hewlett Packard. She is reported as Bill Gates' current girlfriend. The two have been seen together at sporting events and social gatherings, and they are known to share interests such as tennis and the arts.
| Name | Relationship Status |
|---|---|
| Ann Winblad | Ex relationship |
| Jill Bennett | Ex relationship |
| Melinda French Gates | Ex wife (married 1994 to 2021) |
| Paula Hurd | Current girlfriend |
Children
Bill Gates and his ex wife Melinda French Gates have three children: Jennifer, Rory and Phoebe. You can read more in this detailed guide to the Gates children.
Jennifer Gates
Jennifer is the eldest child. She is a skilled equestrian, a graduate of Stanford University, and has pursued studies in medicine. She married Nayel Nassar, an Egyptian American equestrian, in a widely covered ceremony. Jennifer also attended the star studded $6.7 million wedding of Eve Jobs, the daughter of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, and the event was covered in detail by Hello Magazine, which highlighted her stunning dress. Jennifer and Eve have been friends for years, as both grew up in families connected to the technology world.
Rory Gates
Rory is the middle child and the only son. He has kept a lower public profile than his sisters. He studied at the University of Chicago and has been supportive of his father's philanthropic work.
Phoebe Gates
Phoebe is the youngest child. She studied at Stanford University and has become active in the fashion and technology space, building a public presence of her own through entrepreneurship and social media.
| Child | Position | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Gates | Eldest | Equestrian sports, medical studies |
| Rory Gates | Middle | Private life, higher education |
| Phoebe Gates | Youngest | Entrepreneurship, fashion and technology |
Career and the Rise of Microsoft
The Birth of Microsoft
In 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their first major product was a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. The company later moved to the Seattle area, where it grew into a global giant.
The IBM Deal and MS DOS
In 1980 Microsoft agreed to provide an operating system for the IBM Personal Computer. The company acquired and adapted a system that became MS DOS. Because Microsoft kept the right to license the software to other computer makers, its influence spread as the PC market exploded. This deal is often described as one of the smartest business moves in technology history.
Windows and Office
Windows 1.0 launched in 1985, bringing a graphical interface to personal computers. Later versions, especially Windows 95, made computers far easier to use and pushed Microsoft to dominance. The Office suite, which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint, became the standard toolkit for businesses around the world.
Leadership and Transition
Gates served as chief executive of Microsoft until 2000, when Steve Ballmer took over. Gates then became chief software architect and later reduced his daily role to focus on philanthropy. He left his full time job at Microsoft in 2008, stepped down as chairman in 2014, and left the board in 2020. He has continued to act as an adviser on technology topics.
Philanthropy and the Gates Foundation
Philanthropy is now the central focus of Bill Gates' public life. The Gates Foundation, based in Seattle, is one of the largest private charitable organizations in the world.
Global Health
The foundation has invested heavily in vaccines and disease prevention. Its work has supported campaigns to end polio and has helped fund vaccination programs through global partners. It also funds research on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and neglected tropical diseases.
Education, Sanitation and Agriculture
Beyond health, the foundation supports education reform, clean water and sanitation technology, and agricultural development for small farmers in Africa and South Asia. These programs aim to reduce poverty and improve food security.
Climate and Energy
Gates has become a leading voice on climate change. He founded Breakthrough Energy to support clean energy innovation and has backed advanced nuclear technology through TerraPower. He argues that the world needs new technologies to reach zero carbon emissions.
The Giving Pledge
In 2010 Bill Gates and Warren Buffett began the Giving Pledge, a public commitment by wealthy individuals to give away most of their fortunes. Hundreds of people around the world have since joined the effort.
| Focus Area | Examples of Work |
|---|---|
| Global Health | Vaccines, polio eradication, malaria research |
| Education | School improvement and learning tools |
| Sanitation | Low cost toilets and clean water systems |
| Agriculture | Support for small farmers and crop research |
| Climate | Breakthrough Energy and clean technology investment |
Books by Bill Gates
Bill Gates is also a bestselling author. His books reflect his interests in technology, health and the environment.
| Book Title | Topic |
|---|---|
| The Road Ahead | The future of computing and the internet |
| Business at the Speed of Thought | How technology changes business |
| How to Avoid a Climate Disaster | A plan to reach net zero emissions |
| How to Prevent the Next Pandemic | Lessons from global health crises |
| Source Code | His memoir about his early years |
He also shares book reviews, reading lists and yearly recommendations on his personal blog, which many readers follow closely.
Investments and Business Ventures
Alongside his Microsoft holdings, Gates manages a diverse portfolio through Cascade Investment. This portfolio includes shares in well known public companies, large areas of farmland, hotel and resort properties, and stakes in transport and waste management businesses. He is widely reported to be one of the largest private owners of farmland in the United States.
Gates has also backed innovative startups through Breakthrough Energy Ventures. These investments cover areas such as clean steel, battery storage, alternative proteins and nuclear power. His interest in artificial intelligence has grown in recent years, and he often speaks about how AI could improve healthcare, education and productivity.
Lifestyle, Habits and Interests
Reading
Gates is famous for reading about fifty books each year. He takes regular reading weeks, often called think weeks, where he steps away from daily work to read and reflect.
Bridge and Tennis
He enjoys playing bridge, a card game he shares with his friend Warren Buffett. He also plays tennis and likes spending time outdoors.
Everyday Habits
Despite his wealth, Gates is known for a practical lifestyle. He enjoys simple foods such as burgers and diet soda, washes dishes after dinner, and speaks often about the value of curiosity and lifelong learning.
Home
His main residence is a large lakeside home near Seattle, designed with advanced technology and a focus on art, books and open space.
Bill Gates on Social Media
Bill Gates is active across many platforms, where he shares updates on health, climate, technology, books and his daily life. Fans can follow him on the platforms below.
| Platform | Handle |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | @BillGates |
| @thisisbillgates | |
| Bill Gates | |
| William H. Gates | |
| Threads | @thisisbillgates |
| TikTok | @thisisbillgates |
Awards and Recognition
Over the years Bill Gates has received many honors for his business achievements and humanitarian work. He has been named among the most powerful and influential people in the world by major publications. He has received honorary degrees from leading universities, and together with Melinda he was recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States. He also received an honorary knighthood from the United Kingdom for his contributions to global development. These awards reflect his dual legacy as a business pioneer and a major donor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates is 71 years old. He was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington.
What is Bill Gates' net worth?
Bill Gates has an estimated net worth of $120 billion, most of which comes from Microsoft shares and investments managed through Cascade Investment.
How tall is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates is 5 feet 10 inches tall, which equals 1.78 meters.
How much does Bill Gates weigh?
His weight is reported between 65 and 74 kg, which is 143 to 163 lbs.
Who is Bill Gates' wife?
Bill Gates does not have a current wife. He was married to Melinda French Gates from 1994 until they divorced in 2021.
Who is Bill Gates' girlfriend?
Bill Gates' current girlfriend is Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle chief executive Mark Hurd.
Who did Bill Gates date before marriage?
Before marrying Melinda, Bill Gates was in relationships with Ann Winblad and Jill Bennett, among others.
How many children does Bill Gates have?
Bill Gates has three children with his ex wife Melinda French Gates: Jennifer, Rory and Phoebe.
Who are Bill Gates' parents?
His parents are William Henry Gates Sr., a Seattle lawyer, and Mary Maxwell Gates, a teacher and civic leader.
Does Bill Gates have siblings?
Yes. He has two sisters, Kristianne Gates Blake and Libby Gates MacPhee.
Where did Bill Gates go to school?
He attended Lakeside School in Seattle and then studied at Harvard University from 1973 to 1975 before leaving to start Microsoft.
Did Bill Gates graduate from Harvard?
No. He left Harvard in 1975 to focus on Microsoft. He later received an honorary degree from the university.
How did Bill Gates become rich?
He became rich by cofounding Microsoft, which created widely used software such as MS DOS, Windows and Office. His shares grew in value as the company expanded, and he later diversified into other investments.
Why did Bill Gates and Melinda divorce?
The couple announced in 2021 that they no longer believed they could grow together as a couple in the next phase of their lives. They said they would keep working together on their foundation and share responsibility for their children.
Is Bill Gates still the richest person in the world?
No. Although he once held the top position for many years, he now ranks lower on global lists, partly because he has donated large amounts to charity and other tech founders have seen rapid growth in their wealth.
What is Bill Gates doing now?
He focuses on the Gates Foundation, global health, climate innovation and artificial intelligence. He also writes books, shares reviews on his blog and speaks at global events.
Which social media accounts does Bill Gates use?
He is active on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and TikTok, and he writes on his personal blog, Gates Notes.
Did Jennifer Gates attend Eve Jobs' wedding?
Yes. Jennifer Gates attended the $6.7 million wedding of Eve Jobs and drew attention for her stylish outfit.
What books has Bill Gates written?
His books include The Road Ahead, Business at the Speed of Thought, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, How to Prevent the Next Pandemic and his memoir Source Code.
Where was Bill Gates born?
He was born in Seattle, Washington, in the United States.
Who founded Microsoft with Bill Gates?
Microsoft was cofounded by Bill Gates and his childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975.
Final Thoughts
Bill Gates has lived several careers in one lifetime. He began as a teenage programmer, became the leader of the most successful software company of his era, and then turned his attention to solving some of the world's hardest problems in health, poverty and climate. With a net worth of $120 billion, a large and well known family, and a growing audience across social media, he remains one of the most searched and discussed public figures on the planet.
Whether you are interested in his age, his family, his past relationships or his philanthropy, one thing is clear: his influence reaches far beyond technology. Follow his updates on social media and his personal blog to stay informed about his latest ideas and projects.
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