Bill Gates: Biography, Net Worth, IQ, Religion, and Philanthropy
Few individuals have shaped the modern world as profoundly as Bill Gates — the Microsoft co-founder who helped put a computer on every desk and then turned his fortune toward solving global health crises; born on October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975 and never looked back.
Net worth: ~$130 billion (2024) · Born: October 28, 1955 (age 69) · Company co-founded: Microsoft · Philanthropic foundation: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation · Notable achievement: Pioneer of microcomputer revolution · Current role: Chair of Gates Foundation, Founder of Breakthrough Energy
Quick snapshot
- Co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen (Britannica (reference publisher))
- Became world’s youngest billionaire at 31 in 1987 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Launched the Giving Pledge in 2010 with Warren Buffett (Britannica (reference publisher)) (Britannica (reference publisher))
- Divorced Melinda French Gates in 2021 (Lucen Software (tech timeline))
- Exact IQ score (never publicly released) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Current religious beliefs beyond his self-description as agnostic (Gates Notes (personal blog))
- Full extent of his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein’s network (Britannica (reference publisher)) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- 2025: Promises to donate 99% of his remaining fortune (~$107 billion) (Britannica (reference publisher))
- Foundation plans to wind down by 2045 (Britannica (reference publisher))
- Gates said he will give away virtually all wealth within 20 years (Gates Notes (personal blog))
- Foundation spending expanded to $200 billion over two decades (Britannica (reference publisher))
Seven key facts about Bill Gates reveal the broad arc of a life that moved from a Harvard dropout to the world’s richest man, then to the planet’s biggest philanthropist.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | William Henry Gates III |
| Born | October 28, 1955, Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman, philanthropist, author |
| Net worth | ~$130 billion (2024) |
| Spouse | Melinda French Gates (1994–2021) |
| Children | 3 (Jennifer, Rory, Phoebe) |
| Education | Harvard University (dropped out) |
What is Bill Gates so famous for?
Early life and Microsoft founding
Gates wrote his first software program at age 13 (Britannica (reference publisher)). After enrolling at Harvard in 1973, he dropped out two years later to co-found Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen in April 1975 (Study.com (educational resource)). The company’s breakthrough came in 1980 when Microsoft signed a deal with IBM to provide an operating system, which led to MS-DOS and later Windows.
Gates’ ability to secure the IBM contract turned a small startup into the dominant force in personal computing, a move that would make him the world’s richest person for over a decade.
Global impact of personal computing
Under Gates, Microsoft launched Windows 1.0 in 1985 and quickly captured the PC market. By 1995, Gates was the world’s richest person (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). The microcomputer revolution he pioneered made computers accessible to millions, reshaping work, education, and communication.
Philanthropy and the Gates Foundation
In 2000, Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO to focus on philanthropy, co-founding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his then-wife (Britannica (reference publisher)). The foundation focuses on global health, development, and U.S. education. By 2025, it had given away more than $100 billion, and Gates committed to donating 99% of his remaining fortune (Gates Notes (personal blog)).
The arc of his influence remains contested, but the scale of his impact is undisputed.
What religion is Bill Gates now?
Bill Gates’ personal religious views
Gates has described himself as agnostic, stating in interviews that he doesn’t believe in a personal God but respects the moral teachings of religion (Gates Notes (personal blog)). He was raised in a Congregational Christian household but drifted away from organized religion as an adult.
Religious affiliation of Melinda French Gates
Melinda French Gates has publicly identified as Catholic (Britannica (reference publisher)). The couple’s differing religious views did not prevent them from working together at the foundation, which explicitly avoids promoting any specific faith.
The implication: Gates’ agnosticism is well-documented, but the foundation’s secular approach reflects a deliberate separation of personal belief from charitable mission.
Who is richer than Bill Gates?
Current wealth rankings
As of 2024, Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Elon Musk have often held higher net worths than Gates (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg have also surpassed Gates at various points. Gates held the top spot for many years (1995–2007, 2009–2010) but has since fallen in the rankings due to his massive donations and diversified investments.
Three individuals, one pattern: each overtook Gates through high-growth sectors like luxury goods, e-commerce, and space tech.
| Rank | Name | Net worth (2024 est.) | Source of wealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernard Arnault | ~$220 billion | LVMH |
| 2 | Elon Musk | ~$210 billion | Tesla, SpaceX |
| 3 | Jeff Bezos | ~$190 billion | Amazon |
| 4 | Bill Gates | ~$130 billion | Microsoft, investments |
The catch: Gates’ wealth is deliberately shrinking. His 2025 pledge to donate virtually everything ensures he will continue to fall in rankings — by design (Britannica (reference publisher)).
What was the IQ of Bill Gates?
IQ scores and their reliability
No verified IQ score of Bill Gates has ever been publicly released (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). A popular but unsubstantiated claim suggests his IQ is 160, but Gates himself has never confirmed this.
Claims about Gates’ IQ
Gates scored 1590 on the SAT (out of 1600) — a strong indicator of high intelligence, but the SAT is not an IQ test (Study.com (educational resource)). The persistent IQ rumor likely stems from his early prodigy reputation, especially his ability to write code at 13.
Why IQ is not the full story
Success, Gates’ biographers argue, came from a combination of intellect, timing, and relentless work ethic, not a single score. For readers curious about the IQ myth: it remains exactly that — a myth with no documented evidence.
What this means: the absence of a verifiable number does not diminish his intellectual impact, but it underscores how myth can distort biography.
Does Bill Gates own Coca-Cola?
Gates’ investment portfolio
Gates does not personally own a controlling stake in Coca-Cola. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has held shares of Coca-Cola, typically less than 1% of the company (Britannica (reference publisher)). His personal investment firm Cascade Investment also owns a diversified portfolio that includes Coca-Cola shares among dozens of other holdings.
Common misconceptions
Rumors of Gates owning Coca-Cola outright are false and likely stem from confusion with Berkshire Hathaway’s large Coca-Cola stake. Warren Buffett, Gates’ close friend, is Berkshire’s chairman and a major Coke shareholder — not Gates.
The trade-off: Gates’ indirect, small holding in Coca-Cola through his foundation is often cited in conspiracy theories, but the facts show no personal ownership or control.
What did Steve Jobs accuse Bill Gates of?
The rivalry between Jobs and Gates
Steve Jobs accused Bill Gates of stealing the graphical user interface (GUI) from Apple for Windows (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). In a 1993 interview, Jobs said Microsoft “ripped off” the Macintosh’s design.
Stealing ideas or independent innovation?
Gates argued that both companies borrowed from Xerox PARC’s earlier GUI concepts (Britannica (reference publisher)). The legal dispute ended in a settlement that allowed Microsoft to continue using Windows. The feud defined an era of tech competition and became a central narrative in the history of personal computing.
Jobs’ accusation overshadowed the fact that GUI development was a collaborative evolution, not a single theft. Both companies built on Xerox’s research, but Microsoft’s commercial success made it the target of Jobs’ anger.
The pattern: The Jobs-Gates rivalry is often reduced to a one-sided accusation, but it reveals a deeper truth about how innovation and competition drive the tech industry — often messily.
Timeline: Key events in Bill Gates’ life
- 1955: Born in Seattle, Washington (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- 1975: Co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen (Britannica (reference publisher))
- 1985: Windows 1.0 launched (Preceden (timeline tool))
- 1995: Becomes the world’s richest person (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- 2000: Steps down as CEO; co-founds the Gates Foundation (Britannica (reference publisher))
- 2008: Leaves day-to-day role at Microsoft (Study.com (educational resource))
- 2019: Epstein associations become public (Britannica (reference publisher))
- 2021: Divorce finalized (Lucen Software (tech timeline))
- 2025: Pledges to donate 99% of remaining wealth (Gates Notes (personal blog))
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft (Britannica)
- He is worth over $100 billion (Wikipedia)
- He divorced Melinda French Gates (Lucen Software)
- He had a long association with Jeffrey Epstein (meetings, donations) (Britannica)
- Gates Foundation is the world’s largest private foundation (Gates Notes)
What’s unclear
- His exact IQ (never publicly released)
- His current religious beliefs beyond agnostic
- Whether he directly owns Coca-Cola (foundation holds shares, not personal)
- The full extent of his involvement in Epstein’s network
Quotes about Bill Gates
“They just ripped us off completely.”
— Steve Jobs, 1993, on Gates and Microsoft copying the Macintosh GUI (Wikipedia)
“I’m agnostic. I think there’s a lot to be learned from the moral teachings of religion.”
— Bill Gates, from interviews (Gates Notes)
“Gates is a superb human being, very generous, very considerate.”
— Warren Buffett, on Gates’ philanthropy and Giving Pledge (Britannica)
For philanthropists and tech leaders, the implication is clear: Gates’ legacy will be judged by both his innovations and his associations. The Epstein ties have permanently cracked an image he spent decades building. The choice ahead for Gates is whether his giving can outrun his controversies — or whether they will define him instead.
For an updated breakdown of his financial standing, see Bill Gates net worth in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How did Bill Gates start Microsoft?
Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in April 1975 after seeing the Altair 8800 computer. Gates dropped out of Harvard to focus on the company (Britannica).
What is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s focus?
The foundation focuses on global health, global development, and U.S. education, with major initiatives in polio eradication, malaria prevention, and agricultural development (Gates Notes).
Did Bill Gates drop out of Harvard?
Yes, he dropped out in 1975 to start Microsoft. Harvard later awarded him an honorary doctorate (Study.com).
Is Bill Gates still involved with Microsoft?
He left his day-to-day role in 2008 and stepped down from the board in 2020. He remains a large shareholder but is not involved in daily operations (Wikipedia).
How many children does Bill Gates have?
Three: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, all with Melinda French Gates (Wikipedia).
What is Bill Gates’ current role in tech?
He chairs the Gates Foundation and founded Breakthrough Energy, a climate investment initiative. He also writes and speaks on global health and innovation (Britannica).
Does Bill Gates donate all his wealth?
He has pledged to donate 99% of his fortune, and by 2025 the Gates Foundation had given away over $100 billion. He plans to give away virtually everything within 20 years (Gates Notes).
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