William H. Gates III

Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett (lews-info.blogspot.com: Albert Watson)

"Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind." This quote from poet Samuel Johnson depicts William “Bill” H. Gates well; simple childhood curiosity and fascination with computing led to the innovative creation of the first computer virus. As he aged, Gates’ playful hobby turned into a lucrative career. Co-founder, former CEO, and Chairman of the Microsoft Corporation, Gates devotes much of his time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest humanitarian organization in the world. William H. Gates' unmitigated dedication to computer and software design entrepreneurship, and philanthropy inspire innumerable people to follow in his footsteps.

Microsoft Corporate Logo (http://www.microsoft.com/)

Gates' infatuation with computer software coupled with business savvy led him to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in his sector. Gates' preparatory school studies, especially in computing, at Seattle's Lakeside School served as a catalyst for his later success. At the age of fifteen, Gates and his friend Paul Allen formed a company called Traf-Data which sold for twenty-thousand dollars; capitalizing on his success, Gates dropped out of high school, spending a year working for TRW in computing, earning him thirty-thousand dollars (“William H. Gates”). Gates' early career demonstrates the power of hard-work and dedication. The risk that he took by dropping out of high school shows the faith that he has in his remarkable talents as well as the tedious work he was willing to put into achieving his goals. After high school, Gates attended Harvard University for the next one and a half years before leaving it all behind to pursue a lofty business proposition. Gates dropped out of Harvard in 1975, he and his friend Allen co-founded Mircosoft. Microsoft became so successful that in 2004 it reported "fiscal year revenues of 36.8 billion." In 2007, "Gates' personal worth was estimated at more than $57 billion, making him the richest person on the planet for the thirteenth straight year" (“William H. Gates.”). The gamble that Gates took shows his confidence in himself: a trait crucial to success. The confidence Gates had within led to arduous accomplishment of starting a billion dollar corporation. Gates risked everything he had on a chance that he believed in, and it paid off. Gates demonstrates the need for certain skills that are essential in becoming successful in any line of work. His ability to out-perform competitors relies solely on his ability to take those risks, and spend the time to make sure that they come to fruition, and thusly makes him a perfect role model.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Logo (http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/partnerships/bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation.aspx)

Gates then turned his attentions towards magnanimous work, mainly through his foundation: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2008, Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft to dedicate his time to working at the "Gates Foundation [which] is the world's largest charitable foundation. It seeks to improve the health, education, and well-being of people in the United States and in other countries," with 34.6 billion in total asset endowment (“Fact Sheet.”). Though not all donated by Gates, the sums of money paid out by the foundation reflect the time, effort and monetary values that he has contributed. The funding provided by grants directly saves the lives of the poor through vaccines and health care, and gives children a future through an education. Ensuring permanent, and grounds for further, improvement in their daily lives. Bill Gates not only gives monetarily, he also works full time at the foundation, demonstrating his commitment and eager devotion to the cause. The Gates has pledged a considerable amount of his wealth through The Giving Pledge, which "is an effort to invite the wealthiest individuals and families in America to commit to giving the majority of their wealth to the philanthropic causes and charitable organizations of their choice either during their lifetime or after their death," (“The Giving Pledge.”). By committing the bulk of their wealth to charity, Gates has shown the extent of his belief in charity work, the importance of giving back. Gates' pledge also ensures that the work that he has put into multiple philanthropic causes doesn't end with him. Through the Gates Foundation and The Giving Pledge, Bill Gates has exhibited the various ways that one could contribute to humanity. Gates readily exhibits his belief in putting the minority, the weak, in front of wealth and financial security.

The Giving Pledge Logo (http://givingpledge.org)

Gates' childhood infatuation with computer software coupled with hard work and determination, has led him to become one of the wealthiest men on Earth and a widely acknowledged philanthropist. Gates' dedication to his lifelong passion has enabled him to take risks that others consider imprudent and preposterous and succeed. His ability to dedicate himself and humbly surmount everyone before him, look back and distinguish the need for charitable work, as well as sacrifice his time and money to give back truly makes him a hero to be admired. Sacrifice, commitment, and risk are all ingrained in the most noble of heroes, differentiating them from the general public: who aspire to one day, join the acclaimed and immortalized.

Bill Gates at Harvard (http://www.theage.com.au: Brian Synder)

Works Consulted

“Fact Sheet.” http://www.gatesfoundation.org/. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, November 2010. Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

“Gates Foundation.” World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 15 Dec 2010.

“Overview.” http://www.gatesfoundation.org/. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, November 2010. Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

“William H. Gates.” World of Invention. Gale, 2006. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Dec 2010.

“William (Bill) H. Gates III.” http:/www.gatesfoundation.org/. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, n.d. Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

“William Henry Gates III.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale,2004. 232-234. Academic OneFile. Web. 14 Dec 2010.

“The Giving Pledge.” The Giving Pledge, n.d. Web. 3 Jan 2011. .