Explainer | The wealth and philanthropy of Bill and Melinda Gates
- Bill and Melinda Gates file for divorce after 27 years of marriage
- How they will divide their assets was not publicly disclosed
Bill Gates
Bill Gates is the world’s fourth-richest person with a net worth of US$130.5 billion, according to Forbes.
Gates dropped out of Harvard University to co-found technology giant Microsoft with school friend Paul Allen in 1975. Gates owned 49 per cent of Microsoft at its initial public offering in 1986, which made him an instant multimillionaire.
With Microsoft’s explosive growth, he soon became the world’s richest person. He has since lost that title, partly by donating money to philanthropic causes. He was also overtaken due to growth at other companies. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and Louis Vuitton boss Bernard Arnault and his family take the three top spots on the Forbes wealth list, with Gates at No 4.
