In 1975, while still in school, Gates

started Microsoft with childhood friend

Paul Allen, creating software for personal
computers, then a new invention. This
was the start of one of the greatest
companies ever.
In 1986, Gates takes Microsoft public, in
one of the most celebrated stock offerings
of its era.
On Jan. 1, 1994, Gates marries former
Microsoft executive Melinda French Gates,
with whom he now has three children.
In 2000, Gates and
In 1995, Gates outlines his vision of the
his wife form the
future built around the Internet in the
Bill & Melinda
book "The Road Ahead," which stays in
Gates Foundation,
the No. 1 spot on the New York Times'
a charity whose
bestseller list for seven weeks.
assets now are
$29.1 billion
(19678117400).
Also, Gates steps
down as chief
executive officer,
taking the title of
chief software
architect.