Career Timeline of Bill Gates: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bill Gates made an impact.
Bill Gates is an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, becoming a central figure in the microcomputer revolution. He led Microsoft to become a dominant force in the software industry and became the youngest billionaire in 1987 following the company's IPO. For many years, Gates was ranked as the world's wealthiest person by Forbes, even becoming the first centibillionaire. As of May 2025, he is the thirteenth-richest person globally, with a net worth of $113 billion.
1970: End of CCC Arrangement
In 1970, the arrangement between Lakeside Programmers Club and CCC (Computer Center Corporation) ended when CCC went out of business.
1974: Joining Paul Allen at Honeywell
In the summer of 1974, Bill Gates remained in contact with Paul Allen and joined him at Honeywell.
January 1975: Discovery of Altair 8800
In January 1975, Bill Gates read the issue of Popular Electronics which demonstrated the Altair 8800, prompting him to contact MITS about developing a BASIC interpreter.
November 1975: Working at MITS
In November 1975, Bill Gates took a leave of absence from Harvard to work with Paul Allen at MITS in Albuquerque.
1975: Co-founding Microsoft
In 1975, Bill Gates co-founded the Microsoft software company with his childhood friend Paul Allen, marking the beginning of his career in the microcomputer revolution.
1975: Dropping out of Harvard to start Microsoft
In 1975, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to start his own computer software company, seeing an opportunity with the release of the MITS Altair 8800.
1975: Product Strategy Responsibility
In 1975, Bill Gates had primary responsibility for Microsoft's product strategy from the company's founding.
February 1976: An Open Letter to Hobbyists
In February 1976, Bill Gates wrote "An Open Letter to Hobbyists" asserting that most users of Microsoft Altair BASIC hadn't paid for it and the hobby market endangered software development.
1977: Steve Ballmer Graduates from Harvard
In 1977, Steve Ballmer, who would later become the President of Microsoft, graduated from Harvard University. The Maxwell Dworkin Laboratory at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is named after the mothers of both Gates and Ballmer.
January 1, 1979: Microsoft Moves to Bellevue
On January 1, 1979, Microsoft moved its operations from Albuquerque to Bellevue, Washington.
July 1980: IBM Approaches Microsoft
In July 1980, IBM approached Microsoft about software for its upcoming personal computer, the IBM PC.
June 25, 1981: Microsoft Restructuring
On June 25, 1981, Bill Gates oversaw Microsoft's company restructuring, becoming president and chairman of the board.
1981: Microsoft Incorporation
In 1981, Microsoft incorporated, and Bill Gates became president and chairman of the board.
November 20, 1985: Launch of Microsoft Windows
On November 20, 1985, Microsoft and Bill Gates launched their first retail version of Microsoft Windows to compete with Apple's Macintosh GUI.
1985: Microsoft Excel Announcement
In 1985, Jerry Pournelle mentioned Bill Gates' enthusiasm for the Microsoft Excel program.
August 1986: OS/2 Development Deal
In August 1986, Microsoft struck a deal with IBM to develop a separate operating system called OS/2.
1986: Microsoft's IPO
In 1986, Microsoft had its initial public offering (IPO), leading to significant financial success for Bill Gates.
1987: Billionaire Status
In 1987, Bill Gates was listed as a billionaire in Forbes magazine's first-ever America's richest issue, becoming the world's youngest self-made billionaire with a net worth of $1.25 billion.
1987: Youngest Billionaire
In 1987, at the age of 31, Bill Gates became the youngest billionaire ever at the time, after Microsoft's IPO.
1989: Last Code Shipped
Bill Gates last wrote code that shipped with Microsoft's products in 1989.
1989: Founded Corbis
In 1989, Bill Gates founded Corbis, a digital imaging company.
1989: Foreword to Learn BASIC Now
In 1989, Bill Gates wrote the foreword to the Microsoft Press book Learn BASIC Now by Michael Halvorson and David Rygmyr. He reflected on BASIC's growth and its potential as a universal language for software applications.
1993: Forbes 400 List
From 1993 Bill Gates was ranked first on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans.
1994: Gates Creates the William H. Gates Foundation
In 1994, Bill Gates donated some of his Microsoft stock to create the "William H. Gates Foundation" after studying the work of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.
November 1995: Publication of The Road Ahead
In November 1995, Bill Gates, along with Nathan Myhrvold and Peter Rinearson, published "The Road Ahead". The book summarized the personal computing revolution's implications and the future impact of a global information superhighway.
1995: Richest Person
In 1995, Bill Gates was ranked as the richest person in the world on The World's Billionaires list.
January 1996: Donation to Stanford University
In January 1996, Bill Gates donated $6 million towards the construction of the Gates Computer Science Building at Stanford University. The building houses the Computer Science Department and the Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL) of Stanford's Engineering department.
1996: Richest Person
In 1996, Bill Gates was ranked as the richest person in the world on The World's Billionaires list.
1998: Gates Rejects Software Industry Regulation Before US Senate
In 1998, Bill Gates rejected the need for regulation of the software industry in testimony before the United States Senate.
1998: Richest Person
In 1998, Bill Gates was ranked as the richest person in the world on The World's Billionaires list.
1999: Publication of Business @ the Speed of Thought
In 1999, Bill Gates and Collins Hemingway published "Business @ the Speed of Thought". The book discusses the integration of business and technology and how digital infrastructures can enhance competitive edge.
1999: First Centibillionaire
In 1999, Bill Gates became the first centibillionaire when his net worth briefly surpassed $100 billion.
1999: Donation to MIT for Computer Laboratory
In 1999, Bill Gates donated $20 million to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the construction of a computer laboratory. Named the "William H. Gates Building", it was designed by architect Frank Gehry and marked Gates's first personal donation to the institution.
1999: Wealth Surpasses $100 Billion
In 1999, Bill Gates's wealth briefly surpassed US$100 billion, making him the first person to reach this net worth.
2000: Gates and His Wife Create the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
In 2000, Bill Gates and his wife combined three family foundations and donated stock valued at $5 billion to create the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
2000: Stepping down as CEO
In 2000, Bill Gates transitioned from CEO to chief software architect, being succeeded by Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft.
2000: Ballmer Succeeded Gates as CEO
In 2000, Steve Ballmer succeeded Bill Gates as Microsoft's CEO, marking a significant transition in the company's leadership.
2000: Foundation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Starting in 2000, with the foundation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates shifted his focus to philanthropy, spending over $50 billion on causes like health, poverty, and education.
2004: Berkshire Hathaway Board Member
In 2004, Bill Gates became a board member of Berkshire Hathaway, the investment company headed by Warren Buffett.
2005: Focus on Global Sanitation
Starting in 2005, Bill Gates and his foundation began focusing on solving global sanitation problems, including initiatives like the "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge".
June 2006: Announcement of Transition
In June 2006, Bill Gates announced his transition out of his role at Microsoft to dedicate more time to philanthropy.
2006: Microsoft Salary and Bonus
In 2006, Microsoft paid Bill Gates a salary of US$616,667 and a bonus of US$350,000, for a total of US$966,667.
2006: Product Strategy Responsibility
Until 2006, Bill Gates had primary responsibility for Microsoft's product strategy from the company's founding.
2007: Richest Person
In 2007, Bill Gates was ranked as the richest person in the world on The World's Billionaires list.
June 27, 2008: Completion of Transition
On June 27, 2008, Bill Gates completed his transition out of day-to-day operations at Microsoft, having divided his responsibilities between Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie.
2008: Chief Software Architect Role
In 2008, Bill Gates stepped down as chief software architect at Microsoft, further transitioning his role within the company.
2009: Wealth Increase
Between 2009, Bill Gates' wealth doubled from US$40 billion to US$82 billion.
2009: Richest Person
In 2009, Bill Gates was ranked as the richest person in the world on The World's Billionaires list.
2009: Gates Donates to Carnegie Mellon University
In 2009, Bill Gates, through his foundation, donated $20 million to the Carnegie Mellon University for a new building to be named Gates Center for Computer Science.
December 9, 2010: The Giving Pledge Commitment
On December 9, 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates, along with Warren Buffett, formalized their commitment to philanthropy by signing the "Giving Pledge." This pledge represents their promise to donate at least half of their wealth to charitable causes over time.
2010: The Giving Pledge
In 2010, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett founded the Giving Pledge, encouraging billionaires to donate at least half their wealth to philanthropy.
2011: Gates on Climate Change and Energy Access
In 2011, Bill Gates stated that he would prioritize environmentally friendly and affordable energy over choosing the next 10 presidents, emphasizing the critical and interrelated nature of climate change and global access to energy.
October 2013: International Peace Institute Grant
In October 2013, the International Peace Institute received a $2.5 million 'community engagement' grant from the Gates Foundation.
2013: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation identified as world's largest charitable foundation
In 2013, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was identified by Funds for NGOs company as the world's largest charitable foundation, with assets reportedly valued at more than $34.6 billion.
2013: Regained Top Position
In 2013, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bill Gates regained the top position as the wealthiest person.
February 5, 2014: Gates Leaves Chair of Firm
On February 5, 2014, Bill Gates left the chair of the firm to John W. Thompson.
February 2014: Stepping down as Chairman
In February 2014, Bill Gates stepped down as chairman of Microsoft to become technology advisor at the firm, supporting newly appointed CEO Satya Nadella.
March 2014: Gates Discusses Climate Change and Other Issues in Rolling Stone Interview
In March 2014, Bill Gates provided his perspective on climate change, his charitable activities, various tech companies, and the state of America in an interview published in Rolling Stone magazine. He expressed concern about potential future pandemics and identified innovation as the real driver of progress.
2014: Forbes 400 List
From 2014 Bill Gates was ranked first on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans.
2014: Drinking Water from Human Feces
In 2014, Bill Gates drank water that was produced from human feces via the Omni Processor sewage sludge treatment process to raise awareness about sanitation and potential solutions.
2014: Stepping down as Chairman
In 2014, Bill Gates stepped down as chairman of the board at Microsoft, becoming technology advisor to CEO Satya Nadella and other Microsoft leaders.
2014: Ballmer Resignation
In 2014, Steve Ballmer resigned as CEO of Microsoft, after having maintained that position from 2000.
March 2015: Gates Recommends "Superintelligence" and Warns of Pandemic Preparedness at TED Conference
In March 2015, at a TED conference, Bill Gates recommended Nick Bostrom's "Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies" and warned the world was unprepared for a future pandemic.
2015: Gates Writes About Transitioning to Sustainable Energy Sources
In 2015, Bill Gates wrote about the challenge of transitioning the world's energy system to sustainable sources, emphasizing the need for increased government funding and private-sector investment in areas like nuclear energy and grid energy storage.
2015: Gates Announces Climate Change Initiatives at UN Conference
In 2015, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, Bill Gates spearheaded two initiatives: Mission Innovation, where 20 national governments pledged to double their spending on research and development for carbon-free energy, and Breakthrough Energy, a group of investors who agreed to fund high-risk startups in clean energy technologies. Gates committed a further $1 billion to Breakthrough Energy, adding to the $1 billion he had already invested in innovative energy startups.
2015: Appearance on The Tonight Show
In early 2015, Bill Gates appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, challenging him to taste the difference between reclaimed water (produced from human feces) and bottled water.
2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates were jointly awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their philanthropic work.
April 2017: Match for Africa 4
In April 2017, Bill Gates partnered with Roger Federer in the Match for Africa 4, a charity tennis match held in Seattle, raising $2 million for children in Africa. They played against John Isner and Mike McCready.
November 2017: Donation to Dementia Research
In November 2017, Bill Gates pledged $50 million to the Dementia Discovery Fund for Alzheimer's treatment and an additional $50 million to Alzheimer's research start-ups.
March 5, 2018: Match for Africa 5
On March 5, 2018, Bill Gates and Roger Federer played in Match for Africa 5 in San Jose, raising over $2.5 million. Their opponents were Jack Sock and Savannah Guthrie. They won the match with a score of 6-3.
March 2018: Gates Meets with Saudi Crown Prince to Discuss Investment Opportunities
In March 2018, Bill Gates met with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, at his home in Seattle to discuss investment opportunities for Saudi Vision 2030.
June 2018: Free Ebooks to Graduates
In June 2018, Bill Gates offered free ebooks to all new graduates of U.S. colleges and universities.
August 25, 2018: Donation to Kerala Flood Victims
On August 25, 2018, Bill Gates, through his foundation, distributed $600,000 via UNICEF to aid flood victims in Kerala, India.
June 2019: Gates Admits Losing Mobile Operating System Race to Android Was His Biggest Mistake
In June 2019, Bill Gates admitted that losing the mobile operating system race to Android was his biggest mistake, partially blaming antitrust litigation.
November 2019: Richest Person Again
In November 2019, Bill Gates once again became the richest person in the world after a 48% increase in Microsoft shares, surpassing Jeff Bezos.
2019: Gates Divests from Fossil Fuels
In 2019, Bill Gates began to divest from fossil fuels due to concerns about climate change, stating that he did not want to personally benefit from increases in fossil fuel stock prices if his efforts to provide alternatives were to fail.
2019: Gates Convinces Joe Manchin to Support Climate Bill
In 2019, Bill Gates tried to convince Joe Manchin to support a climate bill. He especially worked on it in the months leading up to the adoption of the bill.
March 2020: Gates Leaves Microsoft Board to Focus on Philanthropy
In March 2020, Microsoft announced that Bill Gates would be leaving his board positions at Berkshire Hathaway and Microsoft to dedicate himself to philanthropic endeavors.
December 8, 2020: Gates Speaks at Singapore FinTech Festival
On December 8, 2020, Bill Gates delivered his thoughts in a fireside chat moderated by journalist Shereen Bhan virtually at the Singapore FinTech Festival on the topic, "Building Infrastructure for Resilience: What the COVID-19 Response Can Teach Us About How to Scale Financial Inclusion".
December 2020: Gates Calls for Clean Energy Research Institutes
In December 2020, Bill Gates called for the U.S. federal government to create institutes for clean energy research, analogous to the National Institutes of Health, and urged rich nations to shift to 100% synthetic beef industries.
2020: Resignation from Microsoft Board
In 2020, Bill Gates resigned from the board of Microsoft, further distancing himself from the company's operations.
2020: Gates Foundation Establishes COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator
In 2020, the Gates Foundation established the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator to hasten the development and evaluation of new and repurposed drugs and biologics to treat patients for COVID-19.
February 2021: Gates and Fauci Collaborate on COVID-19 Pandemic Response
As of February 2021, Bill Gates and Anthony Fauci frequently discussed and collaborated on vaccines and medical innovations to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2021: Gates Stepped Down Before Microsoft Board Finished Investigation Into Alleged Inappropriate Relationship
In May 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported that Bill Gates stepped down before Microsoft's board finished its investigation into Gates's alleged inappropriate sexual relationship with a Microsoft employee, which an external law firm had begun probing in late 2019.
June 2021: TerraPower and PacifiCorp Announce First Sodium Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming
In June 2021, Bill Gates's company, TerraPower, and Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp announced the first sodium nuclear reactor in Wyoming, which was hailed as a step toward carbon-negative nuclear power.
2021: Free Ebooks to All Students
In 2021, Bill Gates offered free ebooks to all college and university students around the world.
2021: Publication of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
In 2021, Bill Gates published "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster", presenting insights gained from over a decade of studying climate change and investing in innovations.
July 2022: Reiterating the Giving Pledge Commitment
In July 2022, Bill Gates reiterated his commitment to the Giving Pledge on his Twitter channel, announcing his plan to give 'virtually all' his wealth to charity.
2022: Publication of How to Prevent the Next Pandemic
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill Gates published "How to Prevent the Next Pandemic" in 2022, proposing a GERM team with annual funding of $1 billion.
2022: Gates Supports Inflation Reduction Act
In 2022, Bill Gates supported the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to cut global greenhouse gas emissions and limit the warming of the planet.
2022: "Solving for Zero: The Search for Climate Innovation" Series Inspired by Gates's Book
In 2022, the educational streamer Wondrium produced the series "Solving for Zero: The Search for Climate Innovation" which was inspired by Bill Gates's book "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster".
May 6, 2023: Gates Delivers Commencement Address and Receives Honorary Doctorate at Northern Arizona University
On May 6, 2023, Bill Gates gave a commencement address at Northern Arizona University, where he received an honorary doctorate and further discussed insights on climate change.
October 2024: Gates Donates $50 Million to Future Forward USA Action Supporting Kamala Harris
In October 2024, The New York Times reported that Bill Gates had recently donated $50 million to Future Forward USA Action, a 501(c)(4) organization supporting Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign. While not explicitly endorsing Harris, Gates stated, "this election is different."
February 2025: Publication of Source Code
In February 2025, the first of Bill Gates's planned three memoirs, titled "Source Code," was published.
2025: Gates Charitable Donations Total $100 Billion
In an interview with the BBC in 2025, Bill Gates stated that his charitable donations have totalled $100 billion, with $60 billion going to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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