About This Archive
The Bill Gates Archive is an independent site dedicated to documenting the verified accomplishments and milestones of Bill Gates — co-founder of Microsoft, philanthropist, and one of the most consequential figures in technology history. Each entry is a discrete, verifiable event drawn from public record, allowing visitors to browse and search individual moments rather than rely on sweeping biographical narrative.
The archive spans five decades — from Gates's early work on BASIC interpreters at Harvard in 1974 through Microsoft's rise to dominance, his transition to full-time philanthropy, and the Gates Foundation's ongoing work in global health, education, and climate. More than 200 entries are documented, each linked to a verifiable primary or secondary source where available.
Biography at a Glance
- Full Name
- William Henry Gates III
- Born
- October 28, 1955 — Seattle, Washington
- Education
- Harvard College (enrolled 1973, left 1975 to co-found Microsoft)
- Co-founder
- Microsoft Corporation, founded April 4, 1975 with Paul Allen
- Philanthropy
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — co-founded 2000; $59.5B+ donated to date
- Authorship
- The Road Ahead (1995) · Business @ the Speed of Thought (1999) · How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (2021)
- Recognition
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016), Padma Bhushan (India, 2015), honorary degrees from Harvard (2007) and other universities
- Notable Board Roles
- Microsoft (Chairman 1975–2014) · Berkshire Hathaway (Director 2004–2020) · TerraPower (Chairman)
Quick Stats
Oct 28, 1955
Date of Birth
Seattle, Washington
Age 19
Co-founded Microsoft
With Paul Allen, 1975
Age 30
Became a Billionaire
Microsoft IPO, March 1986
13 years
World's Richest Person
First reached #1 in 1995
$59.5B+
Donated to Charity
Gates Foundation, 2000–present
3
Books Published
The Road Ahead · Biz @ Speed · Climate
3
Children
Jennifer, Rory, Phoebe
25
Verified Predictions
Documented correct predictions
How It's Organized
Every entry is tagged with exactly one of five categories. The category system is intentionally narrow — it keeps filtering predictable and prevents overlap.
- TechnologySoftware products, platforms, and computer science breakthroughs.
- PhilanthropyEducation, poverty reduction, agricultural development, and foundation initiatives.
- Global HealthVaccines, disease eradication, mRNA research, and health equity programs worldwide.
- Climate & EnergyNuclear power, geoengineering research, clean energy investment, and climate advocacy.
- BusinessCompany milestones, investments, board roles, and strategic deals.
- PersonalFamily, speeches, books, and other personal milestones.
- AwardHonors, honorary degrees, and major recognitions.
Sources
All events in the archive are real and verifiable. Entries include a citation linking to a published source — a news article, official announcement, or biographical record — wherever one is available. If an entry does not carry a source link, it reflects widely-documented public information that can be cross-checked through standard references.
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Decades Covered
The archive spans roughly five decades of work, from the early Microsoft years through the foundation's present-day initiatives. Click any decade to browse its events.
Through the Decades
Click any photo to browse events from that era.
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