"Bill Gates: A Remarkable Life Journey from Coding to Global Philanthropy"

 

Chapter 1: 

Early Life and Education

Wealthiest Person in the World

Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, with the full name William Henry Gates III. His father, William H. Gates Sr., practiced law, while his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, was initially a teacher and later became a bank executive. Bill grew up with two sisters: Kristianne, his older sibling, and Libby, his younger sister. As a child, Bill displayed a curious nature and a keen interest in learning. Recognizing his intelligence, his parents encouraged him to explore various subjects and fostered his reading habit. The family lived comfortably in a nice house, and Bill received a quality education at a reputable school. His parents also instilled in him the value of giving back to society, an ethos that would later shape Bill's philanthropic endeavors.

Bill enjoyed a close-knit relationship with his family throughout his upbringing. They spent quality time together, engaging in games, discussions on significant topics, and mutual support for their pursuits. Bill's parents played a pivotal role in instilling strong values and a robust work ethic in him, qualities that would prove instrumental in his future success.

At the age of 13, Bill started attending Lakeside School, a private institution in Seattle. It was here that his fascination with computers began to emerge. In those days, computers were rare in schools, but Lakeside School had a computer club where students could access a computer terminal to learn programming. Bill, along with his friend Paul Allen, delved into programming, showcasing their skills by identifying and rectifying bugs in the computer system. Bill's interests extended beyond computers; he excelled in subjects like math and science, earning high grades and frequently being presented with additional challenges by his teachers. Beyond academia, Bill enjoyed reading books, participating in board games, and solving puzzles. His love for outdoor activities, such as biking and walking, further honed his problem-solving skills and his passion for learning, laying the groundwork for his future career.

Upon completing high school, Bill enrolled at Harvard University in 1973, initially intending to follow in his father's footsteps as a lawyer. However, his deep-seated passion for computers and programming persisted. At Harvard, Bill forged a close friendship with Steve Ballmer, who would later become the CEO of Microsoft. They spent countless hours discussing computers and technology. Concurrently, Bill continued honing his programming skills and participated in various computer projects. In 1975, a magazine article about the Altair 8800, an early personal computer, captivated Bill's attention. Alongside his friend Paul Allen, he embarked on creating a programming language called BASIC specifically for the Altair 8800. Bill faced a significant dilemma - whether to continue his studies at Harvard or abandon them to concentrate on his computer business. After consulting with his parents, Bill made the pivotal decision to leave Harvard and establish a company with Paul Allen. This bold choice marked the birth of Microsoft, which would later become one of the world's most influential technology companies. Bill Gates' decision to forego Harvard and embrace his passion for computers irrevocably altered the course of his life and the tech industry as a whole.