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William Henry "Bill" Cates !!! (born October 28, 13SS), is an William Henry "Bill" Cates !!! (born October 28, 13SS), is an
American business magnate, philanthropist, the world's third richest American business magnate, philanthropist, the world's third richest
person (as of February 8, 2008), and chairman of Nicrosoft, the person (as of February 8, 2008), and chairman of Nicrosoft, the
software company he founded with Paul Allen. Cates was the richest software company he founded with Paul Allen. Cates was the richest
person in the world for 1S consecutive years. During his career at person in the world for 1S consecutive years. During his career at
Nicrosoft, Cates held the positions of CEO and chief software Nicrosoft, Cates held the positions of CEO and chief software
architect, and remains the largest individual shareholder with more architect, and remains the largest individual shareholder with more
than 8 percent of the common stock. He has also authored or co than 8 percent of the common stock. He has also authored or co
authored several books. authored several books.
Cates is one of the best Cates is one of the bestknown entrepreneurs of the personal known entrepreneurs of the personal
computer revolution. Although he is admired by many, a large computer revolution. Although he is admired by many, a large
number of industry insiders criticize his business tactics, which they number of industry insiders criticize his business tactics, which they
consider anti consider anticompetitive, an opinion which has in some cases been competitive, an opinion which has in some cases been
upheld by the courts upheld by the courts
!n the later stages of his career, !n the later stages of his career,
Cates has pursued a number of Cates has pursued a number of
philanthropic endeavors, philanthropic endeavors,
donating large amounts of donating large amounts of
money to various charitable money to various charitable
organizations and scientific organizations and scientific
research programs through the research programs through the
Bill S Nelinda Cates Foundation, Bill S Nelinda Cates Foundation,
established in 2000. established in 2000.
Bill Cates stepped down as chief Bill Cates stepped down as chief
executive officer of Nicrosoft in executive officer of Nicrosoft in
]anuary, 2000. He remained as ]anuary, 2000. He remained as
chairman and created the chairman and created the
position of chief software position of chief software
architect. !n ]une, 2006, Cates architect. !n ]une, 2006, Cates
announced that he would be announced that he would be
transitioning from full transitioning from fulltime work time work
at Nicrosoft to part at Nicrosoft to parttime work time work
and full and fulltime work at the Bill S time work at the Bill S
Nelinda Cates Foundation. He Nelinda Cates Foundation. He
gradually transferred his duties gradually transferred his duties
to Ray Ozzie, chief software to Ray Ozzie, chief software
architect and Craig Nundie, architect and Craig Nundie,
chief research and strategy chief research and strategy
officer. Cates' last full officer. Cates' last fulltime day time day
at Nicrosoft was ]une 27, 2008. at Nicrosoft was ]une 27, 2008.
He remains at Nicrosoft as a He remains at Nicrosoft as a
part parttime, non time, nonexecutive executive
chairman. chairman.
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Cates was born in Seattle, Cates was born in Seattle,
Washington, to William H. Washington, to William H.
Cates, Sr. and Nary Naxwell Cates, Sr. and Nary Naxwell
Cates. His family was upper Cates. His family was upper
middle class, his father was middle class, his father was
a prominent lawyer, his a prominent lawyer, his
mother served on the board mother served on the board
of directors for First of directors for First
!nterstate BancSystem and !nterstate BancSystem and
the United Way, and her the United Way, and her
father, ]. W. Naxwell, was a father, ]. W. Naxwell, was a
national bank president. national bank president.
Cates has one elder sister, Cates has one elder sister,
Kristi (Kristianne), and one Kristi (Kristianne), and one
younger sister, Libby. He younger sister, Libby. He
was the fourth of his name was the fourth of his name
in his family, but was known in his family, but was known
as William Cates !!! or as William Cates !!! or
"Trey" because his father "Trey" because his father
had dropped his own "!!!" had dropped his own "!!!"
suffix. Early on in his life, suffix. Early on in his life,
Cates's parents had a law Cates's parents had a law
career in mind for him. career in mind for him.
At thirteen he enrolled in the Lakeside School, an exclusive At thirteen he enrolled in the Lakeside School, an exclusive
preparatory school. When he was in the eighth grade, the preparatory school. When he was in the eighth grade, the
Nothers Club at the school used proceeds from Lakeside Nothers Club at the school used proceeds from Lakeside
School's rummage sale to buy an ASR School's rummage sale to buy an ASR33 teletype terminal and 33 teletype terminal and
a block of computer time on a Ceneral Electric (CE) computer a block of computer time on a Ceneral Electric (CE) computer
for the school's students. Cates took an interest in programming for the school's students. Cates took an interest in programming
the CE system in BAS!C and was excused from math classes to the CE system in BAS!C and was excused from math classes to
pursue his interest. He wrote his first computer program on this pursue his interest. He wrote his first computer program on this
machine: an implementation of tic machine: an implementation of tictac tactoe that allowed users to toe that allowed users to
play games against the computer. Cates was fascinated by the play games against the computer. Cates was fascinated by the
machine and how it would always execute software code machine and how it would always execute software code
perfectly. When he reflected back on that moment, he perfectly. When he reflected back on that moment, he
commented on it and said, "There was just something neat commented on it and said, "There was just something neat
about the machine." After the Nothers Club donation was about the machine." After the Nothers Club donation was
exhausted, he and other students sought time on systems exhausted, he and other students sought time on systems
including DEC PDP minicomputers. One of these systems was a including DEC PDP minicomputers. One of these systems was a
PDP PDP10 belonging to Computer Center Corporation (CCC), which 10 belonging to Computer Center Corporation (CCC), which
banned four Lakeside students banned four Lakeside students- -Cates, Paul Allen, Ric Weiland, Cates, Paul Allen, Ric Weiland,
and Kent Evans and Kent Evans- -for the summer after it caught them exploiting for the summer after it caught them exploiting
bugs in the operating system to obtain free computer time. bugs in the operating system to obtain free computer time.
At the end of the ban, the four students offered to find bugs in At the end of the ban, the four students offered to find bugs in
CCC's software in exchange for computer time. Rather than use CCC's software in exchange for computer time. Rather than use
the system via teletype, Cates went to CCC's offices and studied the system via teletype, Cates went to CCC's offices and studied
source code for various programs that ran on the system, source code for various programs that ran on the system,
including programs in FORTRAN, L!SP, and machine language. including programs in FORTRAN, L!SP, and machine language.
The arrangement with CCC continued until 1370, when it went The arrangement with CCC continued until 1370, when it went
out of business. The following year, !nformation Sciences !nc. out of business. The following year, !nformation Sciences !nc.
hired the four Lakeside students to write a payroll program in hired the four Lakeside students to write a payroll program in
COBOL, providing them computer time and royalties. After his COBOL, providing them computer time and royalties. After his
administrators became aware of his programming abilities, administrators became aware of his programming abilities,
Cates wrote the school's computer program to schedule Cates wrote the school's computer program to schedule
students in classes. He modified the code so that he was placed students in classes. He modified the code so that he was placed
in classes with mostly female students. He later stated that "it in classes with mostly female students. He later stated that "it
was hard to tear myself away from a machine at which ! could was hard to tear myself away from a machine at which ! could
so unambiguously demonstrate success." At age 17, Cates so unambiguously demonstrate success." At age 17, Cates
formed a venture with Allen, called Traf formed a venture with Allen, called TrafO OData, to make traffic Data, to make traffic
counters based on the !ntel 8008 processor. counters based on the !ntel 8008 processor.
Cates graduated from Lakeside School in 1373. He scored 1S30 Cates graduated from Lakeside School in 1373. He scored 1S30
out of 1600 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and subsequently out of 1600 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and subsequently
enrolled at Harvard College in the fall of 1373. Prior to the mid enrolled at Harvard College in the fall of 1373. Prior to the mid
1330s, an SAT score of 1S30 was equivalent to an !Q of about 1330s, an SAT score of 1S30 was equivalent to an !Q of about
170 (roughly the one in a million level), a figure that would 170 (roughly the one in a million level), a figure that would
frequently be cited by the press. While at Harvard, he met his frequently be cited by the press. While at Harvard, he met his
future business partner, Steve Ballmer, whom he later future business partner, Steve Ballmer, whom he later
appointed as CEO of Nicrosoft. He also met computer scientist appointed as CEO of Nicrosoft. He also met computer scientist
Christos Papadimitriou at Harvard, with whom he collaborated Christos Papadimitriou at Harvard, with whom he collaborated
on a paper about algorithms. He did not have a definite study on a paper about algorithms. He did not have a definite study
plan while a student at Harvard and spent a lot of time using plan while a student at Harvard and spent a lot of time using
the school's computers. He remained in contact with Paul Allen, the school's computers. He remained in contact with Paul Allen,
joining him at Honeywell during the summer of 1374. The joining him at Honeywell during the summer of 1374. The
following year saw the release of the N!TS Altair 8800 based on following year saw the release of the N!TS Altair 8800 based on
the !ntel 8080 CPU, and Cates and Allen saw this as the the !ntel 8080 CPU, and Cates and Allen saw this as the
opportunity to start their own computer software company. He opportunity to start their own computer software company. He
had talked this decision over with his parents, who were had talked this decision over with his parents, who were
supportive of him after seeing how much Cates wanted to start supportive of him after seeing how much Cates wanted to start
a company. a company.
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N!TS Altair 8800 Computer with 8 inch floppy disk N!TS Altair 8800 Computer with 8 inch floppy disk
system system
After reading the ]anuary 137S issue of Popular After reading the ]anuary 137S issue of Popular
Electronics that demonstrated the Altair 8800, Cates Electronics that demonstrated the Altair 8800, Cates
contacted Nicro !nstrumentation and Telemetry Systems contacted Nicro !nstrumentation and Telemetry Systems
(N!TS), the creators of the new microcomputer, to (N!TS), the creators of the new microcomputer, to
inform them that he and others were working on a inform them that he and others were working on a
BAS!C interpreter for the platform. !n reality, Cates and BAS!C interpreter for the platform. !n reality, Cates and
Allen did not have an Altair and had not written code for Allen did not have an Altair and had not written code for
it, they merely wanted to gauge N!TS's interest. N!TS it, they merely wanted to gauge N!TS's interest. N!TS
president Ed Roberts agreed to meet them for a demo, president Ed Roberts agreed to meet them for a demo,
and over the course of a few weeks they developed an and over the course of a few weeks they developed an
Altair emulator that ran on a minicomputer, and then the Altair emulator that ran on a minicomputer, and then the
BAS!C interpreter. BAS!C interpreter.
The demonstration, held at N!TS's offices in The demonstration, held at N!TS's offices in
Albuquerque, was a success and resulted in a deal Albuquerque, was a success and resulted in a deal
with N!TS to distribute the interpreter as Altair with N!TS to distribute the interpreter as Altair
BAS!C. Paul Allen was hired into N!TS, and Cates BAS!C. Paul Allen was hired into N!TS, and Cates
took a leave of absence from Harvard to work with took a leave of absence from Harvard to work with
Allen at N!TS in Albuquerque in November 137S. Allen at N!TS in Albuquerque in November 137S.
They named their partnership "Nicro They named their partnership "NicroSoft" and had Soft" and had
their first office located in Albuquerque. Within a their first office located in Albuquerque. Within a
year, the hyphen was dropped, and on November 26, year, the hyphen was dropped, and on November 26,
1376, the trade name "Nicrosoft" was registered with 1376, the trade name "Nicrosoft" was registered with
the Office of the Secretary of the State of New the Office of the Secretary of the State of New
Nexico. Nexico.
Nicrosoft's BAS!C was popular with computer Nicrosoft's BAS!C was popular with computer
hobbyists, but Cates discovered that a pre hobbyists, but Cates discovered that a premarket market
copy had leaked into the community and was being copy had leaked into the community and was being
widely copied and distributed. !n February 1376, widely copied and distributed. !n February 1376,
Cates wrote an Open Letter to Hobbyists in the N!TS Cates wrote an Open Letter to Hobbyists in the N!TS
newsletter saying that N!TS could not continue to newsletter saying that N!TS could not continue to
produce, distribute, and maintain high produce, distribute, and maintain highquality quality
software without payment. software without payment.
This letter was unpopular with many computer hobbyists, but This letter was unpopular with many computer hobbyists, but
Cates persisted in his belief that software developers should be Cates persisted in his belief that software developers should be
able to demand payment. Nicrosoft became independent of able to demand payment. Nicrosoft became independent of
N!TS in late 1376, and it continued to develop programming N!TS in late 1376, and it continued to develop programming
language software for various systems. The company moved language software for various systems. The company moved
from Albuquerque to its new home in Bellevue, Washington on from Albuquerque to its new home in Bellevue, Washington on
]anuary 1, 1373. ]anuary 1, 1373.
During Nicrosoft's early years, all employees had broad During Nicrosoft's early years, all employees had broad
responsibility for the company's business. Cates oversaw the responsibility for the company's business. Cates oversaw the
business details, but continued to write code as well. !n the first business details, but continued to write code as well. !n the first
five years, he personally reviewed every line of code the five years, he personally reviewed every line of code the
company shipped, and often rewrote parts of it as he saw fit. company shipped, and often rewrote parts of it as he saw fit.
1 vnc.ni 1 vnc.ni
!n 1380, !BN approached Nicrosoft to write the BAS!C !n 1380, !BN approached Nicrosoft to write the BAS!C
interpreter for its upcoming personal computer, the !BN interpreter for its upcoming personal computer, the !BN
PC. When !BN's representatives mentioned that they PC. When !BN's representatives mentioned that they
needed an operating system, Cates referred them to needed an operating system, Cates referred them to
Digital Research (DR!), makers of the widely used CP/N Digital Research (DR!), makers of the widely used CP/N
operating system. !BN's discussions with Digital operating system. !BN's discussions with Digital
Research went poorly, and they did not reach a licensing Research went poorly, and they did not reach a licensing
agreement. !BN representative ]ack Sams mentioned agreement. !BN representative ]ack Sams mentioned
the licensing difficulties during a subsequent meeting the licensing difficulties during a subsequent meeting
with Cates and told him to get an acceptable operating with Cates and told him to get an acceptable operating
system. A few weeks later Cates proposed using 86 system. A few weeks later Cates proposed using 86DOS DOS
(QDOS), an operating system similar to CP/N that Tim (QDOS), an operating system similar to CP/N that Tim
Paterson of Seattle Computer Products (SCP) had made Paterson of Seattle Computer Products (SCP) had made
for hardware similar to the PC. for hardware similar to the PC.
Nicrosoft made a deal Nicrosoft made a deal
with SCP to become the with SCP to become the
exclusive licensing agent, exclusive licensing agent,
and later the full owner, and later the full owner,
of 86 of 86DOS. After adapting DOS. After adapting
the operating system for the operating system for
the PC, Nicrosoft the PC, Nicrosoft
delivered it to !BN as PC delivered it to !BN as PC
DOS in exchange for a DOS in exchange for a
one onetime fee of $S0,000. time fee of $S0,000.
Cates insisted that !BN let Cates insisted that !BN let
Nicrosoft keep the Nicrosoft keep the
copyright on the operating copyright on the operating
system, because he system, because he
believed that other believed that other
hardware vendors would hardware vendors would
clone !BN's system. They clone !BN's system. They
did, and the sales of NS did, and the sales of NS
DOS made Nicrosoft a DOS made Nicrosoft a
major player in the major player in the
industry. industry.
Wi Wind ndow owss
Cates oversaw Nicrosoft's company Cates oversaw Nicrosoft's company
restructuring on ]une 2S, 1381, which restructuring on ]une 2S, 1381, which
re reincorporated the company in incorporated the company in
Washington and made Cates President Washington and made Cates President
of Nicrosoft and the Chairman of the of Nicrosoft and the Chairman of the
Board. Nicrosoft launched its first Board. Nicrosoft launched its first
retail version of Nicrosoft Windows on retail version of Nicrosoft Windows on
November 20, 138S, and in August, November 20, 138S, and in August,
the company struck a deal with !BN to the company struck a deal with !BN to
develop a separate operating system develop a separate operating system
called OS/2. Although the two called OS/2. Although the two
companies successfully developed the companies successfully developed the
first version of the new system, first version of the new system,
mounting creative differences mounting creative differences
undermined the partnership. Cates undermined the partnership. Cates
distributed an internal memo on Nay distributed an internal memo on Nay
16, 1331 announcing that the OS/2 16, 1331 announcing that the OS/2
partnership was over and Nicrosoft partnership was over and Nicrosoft
would shift its efforts to the Windows would shift its efforts to the Windows
NT kernel development. NT kernel development.
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Bill Cates giving his deposition at Bill Cates giving his deposition at
Nicrosoft on August 27, 1338 Nicrosoft on August 27, 1338
From Nicrosoft's founding in 137S From Nicrosoft's founding in 137S
until 2006, Cates had primary until 2006, Cates had primary
responsibility for the company's responsibility for the company's
product strategy. He aggressively product strategy. He aggressively
broadened the company's range of broadened the company's range of
products, and wherever Nicrosoft products, and wherever Nicrosoft
achieved a dominant position he achieved a dominant position he
vigorously defended it. vigorously defended it.
As an executive, Cates met As an executive, Cates met
regularly with Nicrosoft's senior regularly with Nicrosoft's senior
managers and program managers. managers and program managers.
Firsthand accounts of these Firsthand accounts of these
meetings describe him as verbally meetings describe him as verbally
combative, berating managers for combative, berating managers for
perceived holes in their business perceived holes in their business
strategies or proposals that placed strategies or proposals that placed
the company's long the company's longterm interests term interests
at risk. at risk.
He often interrupted presentations with such comments as, He often interrupted presentations with such comments as,
"That's the stupidest thing !'ve ever heard!" and, "Why don't "That's the stupidest thing !'ve ever heard!" and, "Why don't
you just give up your options and join the Peace Corps?" The you just give up your options and join the Peace Corps?" The
target of his outburst then had to defend the proposal in detail target of his outburst then had to defend the proposal in detail
until, hopefully, Cates was fully convinced.When subordinates until, hopefully, Cates was fully convinced.When subordinates
appeared to be procrastinating, he was known to remark appeared to be procrastinating, he was known to remark
sarcastically, "!'ll do it over the weekend." sarcastically, "!'ll do it over the weekend."
Cates's role at Nicrosoft for most of its history was primarily a Cates's role at Nicrosoft for most of its history was primarily a
management and executive role. However, he was an active management and executive role. However, he was an active
software developer in the early years, particularly on the software developer in the early years, particularly on the
company's programming language products. He has not company's programming language products. He has not
officially been on a development team since working on the officially been on a development team since working on the
TRS TRS80 Nodel 100 line, but wrote code as late as 1383 that 80 Nodel 100 line, but wrote code as late as 1383 that
shipped in the company's products. On ]une 1S, 2006, Cates shipped in the company's products. On ]une 1S, 2006, Cates
announced that he would transition out of his day announced that he would transition out of his dayto today role day role
over the next two years to dedicate more time to philanthropy. over the next two years to dedicate more time to philanthropy.
He divided his responsibilities between two successors, placing He divided his responsibilities between two successors, placing
Ray Ozzie in charge of day Ray Ozzie in charge of dayto today management and Craig day management and Craig
Nundie in charge of long Nundie in charge of longterm product strategy. term product strategy.
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Bill Cates decided in 2008 to appear in at least 1 commercial in a Bill Cates decided in 2008 to appear in at least 1 commercial in a
series of ads to promote Nicrosoft. This commercial, co series of ads to promote Nicrosoft. This commercial, costarring starring
]erry Seinfeld, is a 1 and a half minute talk between strangers as ]erry Seinfeld, is a 1 and a half minute talk between strangers as
Seinfeld walks up on a discount shoe store (Shoe Circus) in a mall Seinfeld walks up on a discount shoe store (Shoe Circus) in a mall
and notices Bill Cates buying shoes inside. The salesman is trying to and notices Bill Cates buying shoes inside. The salesman is trying to
sell Nr. Cates shoes that are a size too big. Nr. Seinfeld begins to sell Nr. Cates shoes that are a size too big. Nr. Seinfeld begins to
inform him about a pair of shoes called Conquistadors that run "a inform him about a pair of shoes called Conquistadors that run "a
little tight" and sells him on them in a size 10 (whereas the store little tight" and sells him on them in a size 10 (whereas the store
clerk was attempting an 11). As Nr. Cates is buying the shoes he clerk was attempting an 11). As Nr. Cates is buying the shoes he
holds up his discount card, this card uses a slightly altered version holds up his discount card, this card uses a slightly altered version
of his own mugshot of his arrest in New Nexico in 1377 for a traffic of his own mugshot of his arrest in New Nexico in 1377 for a traffic
violation . violation .
As they are walking out of the mall, ]erry Seinfeld As they are walking out of the mall, ]erry Seinfeld
asks Bill Cates if he has melded his mind to other asks Bill Cates if he has melded his mind to other
developers, after getting a yes, he then asks if they developers, after getting a yes, he then asks if they
are working on a way to make computers edible, are working on a way to make computers edible,
again getting a yes. Nost critics are still in debate again getting a yes. Nost critics are still in debate
over the exact meaning of this commercial saying over the exact meaning of this commercial saying
that it is too vague to make sense to them, but that that it is too vague to make sense to them, but that
it is unlikely that Nicrosoft is attempting to make it is unlikely that Nicrosoft is attempting to make
edible computers. Some say that it is an homage to edible computers. Some say that it is an homage to
Nr. Seinfeld's own show about "nothing"(Seinfeld). Nr. Seinfeld's own show about "nothing"(Seinfeld).
Bill Cates has also appeared in commercials in 2008, Bill Cates has also appeared in commercials in 2008,
aimed at countering the popular Apple Nac "!'m a aimed at countering the popular Apple Nac "!'m a
Nac" commercials. The "!'m a PC" commercials Nac" commercials. The "!'m a PC" commercials
feature short back feature short backto toback clips of various people back clips of various people
explaining that they are a PC and one other trivial explaining that they are a PC and one other trivial
fact about themselves. Bill appears once in a run of fact about themselves. Bill appears once in a run of
the commercial which does not feature the trivial the commercial which does not feature the trivial
facts, and as such there is no trivial fact to associate facts, and as such there is no trivial fact to associate
with him on this page. with him on this page.
The email addresses of several of the The email addresses of several of the
characters or actors in the commercials (it is characters or actors in the commercials (it is
unclear which, as it is also unclear whether all unclear which, as it is also unclear whether all
the actors play themselves) appear in the the actors play themselves) appear in the
bottom right corner of the screen. Bill's is bottom right corner of the screen. Bill's is
cited as "bill@windows.com". The actor who cited as "bill@windows.com". The actor who
appears to resemble ]ohn Hodgman (from appears to resemble ]ohn Hodgman (from
the "!'m a Nac" adverts) in the PC the "!'m a Nac" adverts) in the PC
commercial is cited as "sean@windows.com" commercial is cited as "sean@windows.com"
and his trivial fact is that he has become a and his trivial fact is that he has become a
stereotype. stereotype.
Tc.onv i{c Tc.onv i{c
Cates married Nelinda Cates (ne French) from Cates married Nelinda Cates (ne French) from
Dallas, Texas on ]anuary 1, 1334. They have three Dallas, Texas on ]anuary 1, 1334. They have three
children: ]ennifer Katharine(1336), Rory children: ]ennifer Katharine(1336), Rory
]ohn(1333) and Phoebe Adele(2002). Bill Cates' ]ohn(1333) and Phoebe Adele(2002). Bill Cates'
house is a earth house is a earthsheltered home in the side of a sheltered home in the side of a
hill overlooking Lake Washington in Nedina, hill overlooking Lake Washington in Nedina,
Washington. According to King County public Washington. According to King County public
records, as of 2006, the total assessed value of the records, as of 2006, the total assessed value of the
property (land and house) is $12S million, and the property (land and house) is $12S million, and the
annual property tax is $331,000. Also among annual property tax is $331,000. Also among
Cates's private acquisitions is the Codex Leicester, Cates's private acquisitions is the Codex Leicester,
a collection of writings by Leonardo da vinci, which a collection of writings by Leonardo da vinci, which
Cates bought for $30.8 million at an auction in Cates bought for $30.8 million at an auction in
1334. Cates is also known as an avid reader, and 1334. Cates is also known as an avid reader, and
the ceiling of his large home library is engraved the ceiling of his large home library is engraved
with a quotation from The Creat Catsby.He also with a quotation from The Creat Catsby.He also
enjoys playing bridge, tennis, and golf. enjoys playing bridge, tennis, and golf.
Cates was number one on the "Forbes 400" list from Cates was number one on the "Forbes 400" list from
1333 through to 2007 and number one on Forbes list 1333 through to 2007 and number one on Forbes list
of "The World's Richest People" from 133S to 2007. of "The World's Richest People" from 133S to 2007.
!n 1333, Cates's wealth briefly surpassed $101 !n 1333, Cates's wealth briefly surpassed $101
billion, causing the media to call him a billion, causing the media to call him a
"centibillionaire". Since 2000, the nominal value of his "centibillionaire". Since 2000, the nominal value of his
Nicrosoft holdings has declined due to a fall in Nicrosoft holdings has declined due to a fall in
Nicrosoft's stock price after the dot Nicrosoft's stock price after the dotcom bubble burst com bubble burst
and the multi and the multibillion dollar donations he has made to billion dollar donations he has made to
his charitable foundations. !n a Nay 2006 interview, his charitable foundations. !n a Nay 2006 interview,
Cates commented that he wished that he were not Cates commented that he wished that he were not
the richest man in the world because he disliked the the richest man in the world because he disliked the
attention it brought. Cates has several investments attention it brought. Cates has several investments
outside Nicrosoft, which in 2006 paid him a salary of outside Nicrosoft, which in 2006 paid him a salary of
$616,667, and $3S0,000 bonus totalling $366,667. $616,667, and $3S0,000 bonus totalling $366,667.
He founded Corbis, a digital imaging company, in He founded Corbis, a digital imaging company, in
1383. !n 2004 he became a director of Berkshire 1383. !n 2004 he became a director of Berkshire
Hathaway, the investment company headed by long Hathaway, the investment company headed by long
time friend Warren Buffett. time friend Warren Buffett.