Hello, I'm Bill Gates. Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to work at the intersection of technology and social change, first as a software pioneer and now as a philanthropist committed to solving some of the world's most challenging problems.
My Journey
My fascination with computers began during my teenage years at Seattle's Lakeside School. Those early days of programming sparked a vision that would eventually lead to Microsoft's founding and our mission to put "a computer on every desk and in every home."
Together with my childhood friend Paul Allen, we started Microsoft in 1975. What began as a small software company in Albuquerque grew into a global technology leader that helped make personal computing accessible to billions of people worldwide. The journey wasn't always smooth, but the opportunity to transform how people work and communicate kept us pushing forward.
Microsoft Years
During my time leading Microsoft, we achieved things I never imagined possible when I was writing my first lines of code as a teenager. Windows and Office became essential tools for businesses and individuals around the globe. More importantly, we helped create an entire industry that continues to drive innovation and economic opportunity.
While I stepped back from day-to-day operations at Microsoft in 2008, I remain deeply passionate about technology and its potential to improve lives. Today, I serve as a technical advisor to the company while focusing most of my time on philanthropic work.
Current Focus: The Gates Foundation
In 2000, Melinda and I established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has become my primary focus. We believe that all lives have equal value, and we're committed to helping people live healthy, productive lives.
Our foundation works on issues including:
- Global health
- Education
- Climate change
- Agricultural development
- Financial services for the poor
I spend much of my time learning about these challenges and working with partners to develop innovative solutions. Whether it's supporting new vaccine development, helping farmers adapt to climate change, or improving education, our goal is to support breakthrough innovations that can scale to help millions of people.
What I'm Thinking About
I regularly share my thoughts on global challenges and opportunities through my blog, GatesNotes. There, you'll find my perspectives on:
- Latest books I'm reading
- Climate change solutions
- Global health innovations
- Technology trends
- Educational opportunities
- Pandemic preparedness
Looking Forward
The challenges we face today—from climate change to pandemic prevention to educational inequality—are complex and interconnected. But I remain optimistic about our ability to solve them. Throughout my career, I've seen how innovation, partnership, and determination can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
I believe we're living in a time of unprecedented opportunity to reduce inequality and improve life for everyone on the planet. While technology alone won't solve all our problems, when combined with strong public policy and committed partners, it can help accelerate progress in remarkable ways.
Connect With Me
I encourage you to:
- Read my latest thoughts on GatesNotes
- Follow my work with the Gates Foundation
- Join the conversation about global development and innovation
Thank you for visiting. I hope you'll join me in working toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.
Note: The best way to stay updated on my current work and thoughts is through GatesNotes.com, where I regularly share my perspectives on global challenges and the innovations that inspire me.