Bill Gates
Bill Gates, one of the most impactful technologists of the 20th and 21st centuries, is an American who transformed the world through the computer/software/internet industry and continues to make an impact on the world through his philanthropic endeavors.
Born William Henry Gates III on October 28, 1955, Bill Gates grew up in Seattle, Washington, where his supportive family encouraged his interest in computers from an early age. As a competitive and driven youth, he would always strive to do everything to the best of his ability. At the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962, Bill got ‘hooked’ on computer technology.
When his school had the opportunity to access a computer via teletype link, the teenage Bill spent as much time as possible in the computer lab, which is where he met Paul Allen. Before he even attended high school, Bill and Paul invented a software called Traf-O-Data and earned $20,000. Although he did have the privilege of family money — he always focused on making his own fortune.
While Bill had plans to continue his career in computers, his family insisted he finish school — so he went to Harvard in 1973. When Paul Allen read about the first home computer kit, he showed it to Bill — and they contacted Ed Roberts to convince him they were the ones who could create the necessary software to run on the computers.
In February 1975, almost 50 years ago, together they invented Microsoft. The importance of that moment would have a historic impact on the computer industry. Bill realized its significance and dropped out of Harvard just before his senior year to move to Albuquerque to work on Microsoft.
Gates played a pivotal role in the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. He partnered with IBM but did not sign over the software rights to MS-DOS — forcing IBM to pay a licensing fee for every copy of MS-DOS they put on their computers. As Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, Gates led the company to global prominence. His keen business strategy and technological innovations made Microsoft the world’s largest business. Microsoft’s market cap is $3.5 TRILLION today, placing it above Nvidia and Apple as the largest in the world.
Bill Gates has proven to be incredibly driven and laser-focused — often placing other things above his personal life due to his relentless work ethic — as does Adam in the first part of his career at Tezhouse in our debut novel. Gates oversaw massive success and immense growth at Microsoft grew as a result. Becoming a billionaire at the age of only 30, and then the wealthiest individual in the world, he never became complacent — and the constant drive for success consumed him.
It is no secret that Bill Gates stumbled – a fact reminding us that those on pedestals often fall from great heights in public reputations. Think Tiger Woods in Golf.
After confirming an affair with a female employee, Bill Gates stepped down from the Microsoft board, although he denied the affair was the reason. And Gates also always faced criticism for his business tactics being deemed anti-competitive. Some questioned Microsoft’s dominance and practices.
And Gates’ friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has also drawn scrutiny. We suggest we all let these missteps remind us that we are all human and make mistakes — but it’s the aftermath of mistakes that define us as humans — and Gates philanthropic efforts are beyond just commendable and perhaps overshadow all his other successes and controversies.
Losing his mother to breast cancer in 1994 served as a turning point in the life of Bill Gates. Gates today has transitioned into full-time philanthropic work, stepping down from his prior roles. Honoring her legacy, Gates and his then wife launched the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, focused on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. Over the past 25 years the Foundation has positively touched many millions of lives worldwide — and Bill’s Mom has been posthumously honored as the Citizen of the Year by the Seattle Municipal League of King County.
The Foundation has made significant strides in eradicating diseases, improving education, and addressing global challenges. Through its several divisions, the foundation make significant strides towards betterment of several aspects of life.
The Gender Equality Division focuses on empowering women and girls in Africa and South Asia. Projects include promoting good health, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities for women. Areas of focus: Adolescents, social norms, digital connectivity, family planning, and women’s health.
The Global Development Division aims to improve health services for the world’s poorest communities. Initiatives include emergency response, global health agencies, immunization, and primary health care expansion.
The Global Growth and Opportunity Division focuses on market-based innovations for sustainable economic growth. Projects cover agricultural development, digital infrastructure, global education, financial systems, and water and sanitation.
The Global Health Division works to reduce health inequities in developing countries. Efforts target infectious diseases and child mortality, aiming to develop effective tools and strategies.
The similarities in the Bill Gates story and that of our lead character Adam are no coincidence. While a fictional story, ‘Adam in Taoland’ is largely based on real life events and a hero who mirrors in part the struggles and achievements of Bill Gates.
Adam escapes AI domination and breaks out in Taoland — as he becomes an incredibly focused and innovative inventor and highly successful business executive. He is so focused on his relentless pursuit of power and material success that he often puts career before family — and even before his own serious health issues.
Through a few stumbles, he manages to find needed balance and even discovers that selfless service to others is the only way to go forward. He turns his life around, aided by his wife Tariana and a handful of mentors and gurus, and discovers his true purpose. We follow Adam and Tariana and this journey of purpose in our second and third novels.
Let us all learn from the errors and false purposes of our early years — and give back when we become able to do so — adding our small contributions to make our world a better place for all — as we become better versions of our own selves in the process.
