Bill Gates: Reflects on His Childhood in New Memoir

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a renowned philanthropist, has shared exclusive insights into his childhood in his new memoir, “Source Code: My Beginnings.” The book, which hit shelves on February 4, is the first of a three-volume autobiography that details Gates’ early years, including his upbringing and passion for computers.

 

In the book, Gates recounts how he first used a computer at school and wrote his first computer program, a game of tic-tac-toe, at the age of 13. He describes the experience as a “triumph” to get a machine to do it. Gates also shares stories about sneaking out his bedroom window at night to write code as a teenager and staying up for 36 hours straight to study programming while attending Harvard University.

 

One of the most surprising revelations in the book is Gates’ admission that he might be neurodivergent, claiming that he “would probably be diagnosed with autism” if he were a kid now. He also credits his parents for helping him with his social skills by sending him to therapy and private school and getting him involved in sports.

 

Who Is Bill Gates?

 

Bill Gates is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. Through technological innovation, keen business strategy, and aggressive business tactics, Gates helped build the world’s largest software company and became a billionaire in the process. The Seattle native resigned as Microsoft’s CEO in 2000 and went on to co-found the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health initiatives, education, and economic prosperity.

 

Early Life

 

William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle to William H. Gates II, a lawyer, and Mary Maxwell Gates, a teacher and philanthropist. Gates grew up in an upper-middle-class family with his older sister, Kristianne, and younger sister, Libby. All three children were encouraged to be competitive and strive for excellence. Bill showed early signs of competitiveness when he coordinated family athletic games at their summer house on Puget Sound.

 

Education

 

Gates attended Lakeside School, an exclusive preparatory school in Seattle, where he met Paul Allen. The two became fast friends and spent much of their free time working on programs together. Gates wrote a tic-tac-toe program in BASIC computer language that allowed users to play against the computer. He also developed a payroll program for the computer company they hacked into and a scheduling program for the school.

 

Microsoft

 

Gates and Allen formed Micro-soft in 1975, a blend of “micro-computer” and “software.” They dropped the hyphen within a year. The company’s first product was BASIC software that ran on the Altair computer. Despite their eventual success, all was not smooth sailing at first. Microsoft’s program for the Altair netted the company a fee and royalties, but it wasn’t enough to meet their overhead.

 

IBM Partnership

 

In November 1980, IBM approached Microsoft to develop software for their upcoming personal computer. Gates convinced them that his company could meet their needs, but they didn’t yet have the basic operating system that would run IBM’s new computers. Gates bought an operating system from another company and adapted it to work for the IBM PC. He delivered it for a $50,000 fee and later licensed it to other PC manufacturers.

 

Windows

 

Gates led the development of Microsoft Windows, first released in November 1985. The graphic interface made computers even more accessible to the public. Apple had previously given Microsoft full access to their technology while it was working on making Microsoft products compatible for Apple computers. Gates created a software format that was strikingly similar to the Macintosh system, which led to a lawsuit from Apple.

 

Microsoft Goes Public

 

On March 13, 1986, Gates transitioned Microsoft into a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq stock market. Its initial public offering was $21 per share, making Gates an instant millionaire. Two weeks earlier, the company had moved its headquarters to nearby Redmond, Washington.

 

Leaving Microsoft

 

After 25 years at the helm, Gates stepped down from day-to-day operations of Microsoft in January 2000. He turned over the job of CEO to his college friend Steve Ballmer and positioned himself as chief software architect so he could concentrate on what was for him the more passionate side of the business.

 

The Gates Foundation

 

In 2000, Bill and Melinda combined two family foundations and contributed close to $16 billion to form the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Its initial focuses were education, world health, and communities in the Pacific Northwest. Bill’s father, William H. Gates Sr., was one of the first co-chairs.

 

Additional Philanthropy: Alzheimer’s Research

 

Gates has made philanthropic gifts outside of his foundation, too. In November 2017, he shared his plan to invest $50 million into the Dementia Discovery Fund and another $50 million toward start-up ventures working in Alzheimer’s research. It was said to be a personal matter for Gates, who has seen the devastating effects of the disease on his own family members.

 

Ex-Wife Melinda French Gates and Children

Bill and Melinda were married from 1994 until 2021 and have three kids together: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.

 

Girlfriend Paula Hurd

 

In February 2023, People confirmed that Gates had started dating philanthropist Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd.

 

House on Lake Washington

Gates owns several houses, including his Xanadu 2.0 estate in the Seattle metro area.

 

Smart City Initiative

 

In 2017, it was revealed that one of Gates’ firms had invested $80 million into the development of a “smart city” near Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Trending Information

 

•  Bill Gates has an estimated net worth of $107.3 billion as of February 12, 2025.
•  He is currently dating philanthropist Paula Hurd.
•  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has funded $77.6 billion in lifetime grants.
•  Bill Gates has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year twice.
•  He has received numerous awards and honors for his philanthropic work.

 

FAQ

 

Q: Who is Bill Gates?

A: Bill Gates is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975.

 

Q: What is the title of Bill Gates’ new memoir?

A: “Source Code: My Beginnings”

 

Q: What is the focus of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?

A: The foundation focuses on global health initiatives, education, and economic prosperity.

 

Q: How much has Bill Gates invested in Alzheimer’s research?

A: He has invested $50 million into the Dementia Discovery Fund and another $50 million toward start-up ventures working in Alzheimer’s research.

 

Q: Who is Bill Gates’ current girlfriend?

A: Paula Hurd

 

Q: What is the estimated value of Bill Gates’ net worth?

A: $107.3 billion as of February 12, 2025.

 

Q: What is the title of Bill Gates’ smart city initiative?

A: Belmont

 

Q: How much has Bill Gates funded for Alzheimer’s research?

A: $100 million

 

Conclusion

 Bill Gates’ life is a testament to the power of innovation and philanthropy. From his early days as a computer enthusiast to his current status as one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, Gates has always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact on society. His commitment to philanthropy has earned him numerous awards and recognition, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. As we look to the future, it’s clear that Bill Gates will continue to be a force for good in the world. His commitment to innovation and philanthropy will inspire others to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in their own lives.