I was born in Seattle, Washington on October 28, 1955. My parents, William H. Gates Sr. and Mary Maxwell Gates, raised me and my two sisters in a loving and supportive household. From a young age, I showed an interest in technology and computers.

During my school years, I was fortunate to attend Lakeside School, a private institution in Seattle. It was there that my passion for computers truly took off. In 1968, when I was just 13 years old, Lakeside got a computer terminal connected to a mainframe computer. This was my first exposure to programming, and I quickly became engrossed in it.

In 1973, I enrolled at Harvard University. However, my time there was short-lived, as my entrepreneurial spirit beckoned me to take a different path. My friend Paul Allen and I had a vision of a computer on every desk and in every home. So, in 1975, we founded Microsoft, starting off with humble beginnings in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Over the years, Microsoft grew exponentially. Our breakthrough came in 1981 when we introduced MS-DOS, the operating system that became a standard for personal computers. The release of Windows in 1985 further solidified our position in the industry and changed the way people interacted with computers.

Throughout my career, I strived to push the boundaries of technology and innovation. Microsoft's success allowed me to pursue other endeavors, including philanthropy. In 2000, my wife, Melinda, and I established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the goal of improving global health and education.

As the years went by, I became increasingly involved in philanthropic work. I stepped down as CEO of Microsoft in 2008 to dedicate more time to the foundation. Our efforts have focused on tackling some of the world's most pressing issues, such as poverty, infectious diseases, and climate change.

While my journey has been marked by success, it has also faced its fair share of challenges. I've always believed in the power of perseverance and the importance of learning from failure. It's through setbacks that we grow, adapt, and ultimately make a greater impact.

Today, I continue to be actively engaged in philanthropy and technology. I remain committed to leveraging innovation to solve the world's most complex problems and create a better future for all.