William Henry Gates III, born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, is a prominent American entrepreneur and philanthropist. Growing up in a family with a legal background—his father, a renowned lawyer, and his mother, a company director—Gates was encouraged to excel from a young age. His fascination with computers blossomed during his teenage years, culminating in his first software program written at the age of 13.

Gates' passion for technology led him to Harvard College in 1973. However, he left the prestigious institution in 1975 to co-found Microsoft with his childhood friend, Paul Allen. Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft revolutionized the software industry with products like Windows, making personal computing accessible to millions.

His innovative contributions earned him a reputation as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and a key figure in the tech revolution. Beyond his business success, Gates has also made significant philanthropic impacts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. With a commitment to addressing societal challenges, Gates continues to shape the world through technology and philanthropy.