I was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. Growing up, I was always curious about how things worked, and my early love for reading and problem-solving led me to develop an interest in computers at a young age. I was fortunate to have a family that encouraged my intellectual curiosity. My father, William H. Gates Sr., was a successful lawyer, and my mother, Mary Gates, was a schoolteacher and a philanthropist. In 1973, I enrolled at Harvard University, where I focused on mathematics and computer science. However, my true passion lay in the potential of computers, so in 1975, I made the bold decision to leave Harvard and start my own company. That decision led to the founding of Microsoft with my childhood friend, Paul Allen, in 1975. Our goal was simple: to put a computer on every desk and in every home. In 1980, we struck a pivotal deal with IBM to provide an operating system for their first personal computer. That deal brought us the opportunity to create MS-DOS, a software system that became the foundation for our growth. With that success, Microsoft was on its way to becoming the dominant force in the software industry. By 1985, we launched Windows, a graphical extension to MS-DOS, which was designed to make computers more user-friendly. It changed the way people interacted with machines, and it became one of the most successful products in tech history. As Microsoft grew throughout the 1990s, I became known as one of the richest men in the world. But my success was not without controversy. We faced antitrust lawsuits, competition, and constant pressure to innovate. Yet, through it all, I remained committed to my vision: empowering people through technology. I knew that we were just getting started, and I worked tirelessly to expand Microsoft’s reach, acquiring companies, creating new products, and constantly improving the software we offered. In the early 2000s, I transitioned from my role as CEO of Microsoft to focus on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which I founded with my then-wife, Melinda. The foundation’s mission is simple but ambitious: to reduce poverty, improve global health, and expand educational opportunities. We’ve invested billions of dollars to fight diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and polio, and to bring technology and education to underserved communities around the world. While I’m proud of what Microsoft has achieved, my work with the foundation has become the most meaningful and rewarding part of my life. The opportunity to help others, to give back, and to use my resources to make a difference in the world is something that has defined my legacy in ways beyond business. As I reflect on my journey, I’m proud of the impact Microsoft has had on the world, but I am equally proud of the work we are doing through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve lives globally. The future is full of promise, and I am committed to ensuring that technology continues to be a force for good, solving some of the most pressing challenges we face as a global community.