An Era Ends As Bill Gates Bids Adieu to Microsoft

Posted by Vaibhav

June 27, 2008

After giving birth to Microsoft and helping it grow enormously on the global platform over the past several years, Bill Gates has finally decided to step down and concentrate on philanthropy. One of the richest men in the world and a prominent figure in the technology industry, Bill Gates will now focus on the philanthropic projects that are supported by his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. So, let’s take a look at the wonderful journey of a great businessman, who created history with his exceptional leadership skills.

Born in Seattle, Washington USA, William Henry Gates III was brought up in a respected family. The son of professional parents, Gates had a younger and an elder sister, and attended the exclusive secondary ‘Lakeside School’.

It was at Harvard University where he met Steve Ballmer. However, just within a couple of years of education, Gates abandoned his studies and started preparing to set up what was destined to become the largest software company in the world – Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft came into this world in 1975, and Gates not just focused on managing the business, but also personally reviewing and approving each and every line of code shipped by the company.

In 1994, Gates married Melinda French, and they jointly established a charitable foundation to support philanthropic projects. The Gates’ opted to concentrate on the global issues that largely go unnoticed or probably ignored by the government as well as the prevailing charity network. It is heartening to know that the Gate’s worked relentlessly to institute scholarships that support ethnic minorities to pursue further education, along with huge investments in AIDS projects in an effort to eradicate malaria and other dangerous diseases prevailing in the developing nations.

Inspite of getting tied up in his busy schedule, Gates continued to be generous to the society through his charity work, which in itself is a very big achievement.

Feeling burdened by the ‘world’s richest man’ tag, Gates believed in using the wealth for causes that are important, such as education, social services, technology, medical research, and a lot other things.

An ardent bridge player and a prodigious reader, the bespectacled Gates, with his conventional looking hairdo and cable-knit sweaters, may not seem to have a hero figure. But to millions of people, especially technologists, he is an inspiration, an optimist who has proved that a good idea combined with good business can lead you to the path of success.

While at his stay in Microsoft, the softly spoken and self-effacing Gates crossed several hurdles and weathered many storms to emerge out as a winner eventually. His dream was that every office desk and home should have a computer, and with Microsoft, he certainly achieved the difficult, yet possible goal of his life.

Today, Microsoft rules over the entire world, thanks to Bill Gates. But, with his exit, will the software giant remain a giant in the future as well? It definitely seems so, because Gates will continue to be the chairman of the firm and retain a nominal, part-time, once-in-a-week role with the company, which he brought up to such a great level from scratch.

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