Bill Gates Net Worth: Biography, Career & Personal Details

Introduction

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is a global icon of technology, wealth, and philanthropy. Once the world’s richest person for over two decades, he remains one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history. As of 2025, Bill Gates’ net worth is estimated at $118–$120 billion, making him among the wealthiest people alive.

While Gates stepped down from day-to-day Microsoft operations years ago, his impact continues through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in the world.

Bill Gates’ Net Worth

Estimated Net Worth (2025): $118–$120 billion
Primary Source of Wealth: Microsoft (software, Windows OS, Office Suite)
Other Investments: Cascade Investment LLC, Berkshire Hathaway, Canadian National Railway, Four Seasons Hotels.
Philanthropy Impact: Bill Gates has donated more than $59 billion to charitable causes, reducing his net worth over time.

💡 Unlike Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, Gates’ wealth is diversified across stocks, real estate, and private equity rather than tied mostly to a single company.

Bill Gates Personal Details

Attribute	Details
Full Name	William Henry Gates III
Date of Birth	October 28, 1955
Age (2025)	69 years
Place of Birth	Seattle, Washington, USA
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	~70 kg (154 lbs)
Zodiac Sign	Scorpio
Parents	William H. Gates Sr. (father), Mary Maxwell Gates (mother)
Siblings	Kristi Gates, Libby Gates
Education	Harvard University (dropped out)
Marital Status	Divorced
Ex-Spouse	Melinda French Gates (m. 1994–2021)
Children	3 – Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe Gates
Current Residence	Medina, Washington, USA
Profession	Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist
Companies	Microsoft, Cascade Investment
Net Worth (2025)	$118–$120 billion

Early Life & Education

Born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, Bill Gates grew up in an upper-middle-class family. His father was a prominent attorney, and his mother served on corporate boards, shaping Gates’ exposure to leadership early on.

At age 13, Gates developed a passion for programming at Lakeside School, where he met Paul Allen, his future Microsoft co-founder.

In 1973, he enrolled at Harvard University, studying mathematics and computer science. However, Gates dropped out in 1975 to pursue his vision of bringing personal computers to every home and office—a decision that changed history.

Career Highlights

Founding of Microsoft

1975: Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft after developing software for the Altair 8800.
1980: Secured a deal with IBM to provide the MS-DOS operating system.
1985: Released Windows 1.0, revolutionizing personal computing.

Microsoft’s Growth

Throughout the 1990s, Microsoft became the dominant software company globally.
Windows and Office Suite turned into essential tools for business and personal use.
Gates became the world’s youngest billionaire at 31 and eventually the richest man alive.

Later Roles

Stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2000, succeeded by Steve Ballmer.
Transitioned to a full-time philanthropist role through the Gates Foundation.
Resigned from Microsoft’s board in 2020 to focus entirely on global health and philanthropy.

Lifestyle & Favorites

Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers.
Favorite Drink: Diet Coke.
Favorite Book: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Hobbies: Reading, playing bridge, tennis, traveling.
Cars Owned: Porsche 911, Porsche Taycan, and other classic cars.
Homes Owned: “Xanadu 2.0” — a $130 million high-tech mansion in Medina, Washington.

Personal Life

Bill Gates married Melinda French in 1994, and the couple had three children. In 2021, they announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage but continue to co-manage their foundation.

Gates maintains a private life with his children while balancing his role as a philanthropist and global influencer.

Philanthropy

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, established in 2000, has donated billions to causes such as:

Eradicating polio and malaria.
Providing vaccines and healthcare in developing countries.
Supporting education and clean energy projects.

By 2025, Gates has donated over $59 billion, making him one of the world’s greatest philanthropists.

Controversies

Antitrust Lawsuits (1990s): Microsoft faced monopoly accusations, leading to legal battles with the U.S. government.
Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein: Gates faced criticism for past associations with Epstein.
Divorce Headlines (2021): Media speculated about Gates’ personal life and alleged workplace relationships.

Bill Gates Net Worth Compared to Other Billionaires (2025)

Rank	Name	Net Worth	Industry
1	Elon Musk	$230–$250B	Tech, Space
2	Bernard Arnault	$220B	Luxury Goods
3	Jeff Bezos	$180B	E-commerce
4	Bill Gates	$118–$120B	Tech, Investments

50 Unknown Facts About Bill Gates

Wrote his first software program at age 13.
Scored 800 on the math SAT section.
Dropped out of Harvard in 1975.
Nicknamed “Trey” as a child.
Loves fast cars, especially Porsches.
Still codes for fun.
Reads 50 books a year.
Can read 150 pages per hour.
Memorizes book passages word for word.
Was once arrested for speeding in New Mexico.
Childhood hero: Warren Buffett.
Plays bridge with Buffett regularly.
Wrote Microsoft’s early code himself.
Microsoft’s first office was in Albuquerque.
Known for his competitive spirit.
Vacationed with Steve Jobs in the 1980s.
Once memorized employees’ license plates to track work hours.
Invested in Canadian National Railway.
Owns farmland across the U.S.
Collects rare art and manuscripts.
Once bought Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester.
Helped launch TerraPower, a nuclear energy startup.
Donated billions to global health.
Promotes renewable energy.
Learned to fly helicopters.
Donated $20 billion in 2022 alone.
Loves tennis and pickleball.
Was Microsoft’s chief software architect until 2006.
Met Melinda at Microsoft.
Helped found the Giving Pledge.
Avoids caffeine-heavy drinks except Diet Coke.
Loves watching Narcos on Netflix.
Net worth peaked at over $130B.
Once predicted the rise of smartphones.
Believes AI will reshape humanity.
Prefers reading over watching TV.
His favorite holiday spot: Hood Canal, Washington.
Once topped Forbes’ richest list for 18 years straight.
Has a private collection of Porsche cars.
Believes polio eradication is achievable.
Doesn’t leave big inheritance for kids.
Encourages his children to find their own careers.
Loves cheeseburgers with fries.
Sometimes plays golf with business leaders.
Still meets with Microsoft executives.
Gave a TED talk on pandemic preparedness in 2015.
Predicts climate change will be deadlier than COVID-19.
His foundation employs 1,600 people worldwide.
Once had a rivalry with Steve Jobs, later reconciled.
Owns one of the world’s largest private homes.

Bill Gates Timeline: Year-by-Year Milestones

Year	Milestone
1955	Born in Seattle, Washington.
1968	Began programming at Lakeside School.
1973	Enrolled at Harvard University.
1975	Founded Microsoft with Paul Allen.
1980	Secured IBM deal for MS-DOS.
1985	Released Windows 1.0.
1994	Married Melinda French.
2000	Founded Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
2000	Stepped down as Microsoft CEO.
2008	Retired from daily Microsoft role.
2010	Launched Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett.
2020	Resigned from Microsoft’s board.
2021	Divorced Melinda Gates.
2025	Net worth estimated at $118–$120B.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Bill Gates’ current net worth?
As of 2025, around $118–$120 billion.

2. How did Bill Gates make his money?
Primarily through Microsoft and diversified investments.

3. How many children does Bill Gates have?
Three – Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe Gates.

4. What companies does Bill Gates own?
Microsoft (founder, now minority shareholder), Cascade Investment, stakes in Berkshire Hathaway, Canadian National Railway.

5. What is Bill Gates’ favorite book?
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

6. Is Bill Gates still the richest person in the world?
No, he’s no longer the richest, but he remains in the top 5 wealthiest people globally.