Bill Gates

Bill Gates

William Henry Gates III, was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. Gates began to show an interest in computer programming at the age of 13 at the Lake side School. He pursued his passion through college. Striking out on his own with his friend and business partner Paul Allen, Gates found himself at the right place at the right time. Through technological innovation, keen business strategy, and aggressive competitive tactics he built the world’s largest software business, Microsoft. In the process, he became one of the richest men in the world.

Bill was a voracious reader as a child,

spending many hours pouring over reference books such as the encyclopedia. Around the age of 11 or 12, Bill’s parents began to have concerns about his behavior. He was doing well in school, but he seemed bored and withdrawn at times. His parents worried he might become a loner. Though they were strong believers in public education, when Bill turned 13 they enrolled him in Seattle’s Lakeside School, an exclusive preparatory school. He blossomed in nearly all his subjects, excelling in math and science, but also doing very well in drama and English.

 It was at Lakeside School where Bill met Paul Allen, who was senior to him by two years. The two became fast friends, bonding on their common enthusiasm over computers, even though they were different. Allen was more reserved and shy. Bill was feisty and at times combative. Both of them spent much of their time together working on programmes. Occasionally, they disagreed and would clash over who was right or who should run the computer la. In 1970, at the age of 15, Bill Gates went into business with his pal, Paul Allen. They developed “Traf -o-Data” a computer programme that monitored traffic patterns in Seattle, and netted 20,000 dollars for their efforts.