Bill Gates
At a Glance
-
Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Age: 58
- Source of Wealth: Microsoft, self-made
- Residence: Medina, WA
- Country of Citizenship: United States
- Education: Drop Out, Harvard University
- Marital Status: Married
- Children: 3
Profile
Bill Gates is the wealthiest man in the U.S. (and the world, for that
matter), despite past gifts of more than $28 billion to the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation. He bolstered his foundation's efforts to
eradicate polio in April, securing $335 million in pledges to the cause
from six billionaire comrades, including $100 million each from Mexico's
Carlos Slim and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Shares of Microsoft jumped in late August on news that Steve Ballmer
will step down as CEO; Gates will remain chairman of the software
company. He and Warren Buffett have thus far convinced over 100 of the
super rich to sign on to the Giving Pledge, a promise to donate at least
half one's net worth to charity.