The Changing of The World’s Richest Man

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The Changing of The World’s Richest Man

The name Bill Gates elicits strong opinions among many Americans. There is no arguing the fact that this man, this titan of innovation, has become a household name. Sometimes negative in nature, many of these opinions may have been formed years ago when Gates was a different man with different priorities. Bill Gates has not been one to solicit notoriety, so much about his private life remains unknown to many. Countless words have been written regarding his business dealings, personality traits and the formation of his computer empire Microsoft. But what do we know about Bill Gates the man? While his astounding wealth remains, Bill Gates, the world’s richest bachelor has dramatically changed for the better since becoming the world’s richest husband.

William Henry Gates III was raised in a wealthy suburb of Seattle, WA. His parents, William and Mary, were both accomplished and contributing members of their community. Gates was known to be socially awkward and cold but was also tremendously hard working, innovative and driven. Young Bill Gates seemed to prefer his relationship with the computer, to a relationship with another person. The word arrogant is often used when childhood acquaintances are asked to describe the young Bill Gates (Rivlin). As a youth Gates’ quick temper often times ignited war in the Gates household. By the sixth grade his parents decided he needed to see a counselor to deal with these issues (Isaacson). Bill attended private school as a young man, had very few friends, and later went on to Harvard University. Known as Harvard’s most famous dropout, Bill left Harvard to start Microsoft in 1977 (Isaacson). During the formation years of Microsoft and up until 2008 Gates...

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...hours per week at Microsoft. According to Gates this shift is “not to retire but to reorder my priorities” (Stepanek).

In 2009 Gates was once again listed as the world’s richest man with a personal net worth of 40 Billion (Forbes). When Bill Gates married Melinda a dynamic and unstoppable team was born. Bill Gates the man has evolved throughout the years. Gates is still known to be a bit unsociable and fierce, people may always remain a bit uncomfortable in his presence, but he has also learned throughout the years to mellow and connect with people. Gates is no longer focused solely on the success of Microsoft, he is now also concerned with the health and wellbeing of the world’s people. Since getting married, Bill Gates has become an astonishing combination of warmth, intelligence, ambition and wealth that will leave a lasting and positive mark on the world.

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