TEN TRO D In 2006 Bill and Melinda Gates appeared on the Charlie Rose show to discuss businessman Warren Buffet's generous donation to the Bill Melinda Gates
U CTION ill Gates is one of the founders of Microsoft Corporation which became the largest computer software company in the world Software is the programs or instructions that tell a computer what to do The success of Microsoft made Gates one of the richest people in the world Bill met his future wife Melinda French in 1987 when she first started working at Microsoft Together their strong business skills and emphasis on innovation helped make them well known in the world of computer
BLAND MELINDA GATES DIGITAL AGE PHIL ANTHROPISTS However they are better known today for their philanthropic contributions Since before the establishment of their charitable organization the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation they have worked hard to help make a difference in the lives of people around the world Bill and Melinda's influences on our modern society are almost too numerous to list Their charitable natures were fostered by their families On the website for their foundation Bill and Melinda say Both the Gates and Melinda French families instilled the values of volunteerism and civic engagement Our families believed that if life happens to bless you you should use those gifts as well and as wisely as you can Bill and Melinda Gates have certainly lived by that principle 6
CHAPTER 1 GROWING UP ill s groundbreaking computer and software innovations have helped make M Microsoft a leader in computer technology However it is the couple s philanthropic endeavors that stand out Since their marriage Bill and Melinda Gates have become leaders in charitable efforts worldwide HELLO BILL Bill Gates was born on October 28 1955 William and Mary Gates gave their son a regal sounding name William Henry Gates III They didn't know their son would go on to become a king of computer innovation Bill grew up in Seattle Washington with older sister Kristianne and younger sister Libby Intelligence and a drive to succeed are common traits in Bill s family His great grandfather on his father's side moved from Seattle to Alaska to become a gold prospector but later returned to Seattle and started a furniture business Bill s father was the first person in the family to
