Bill Gates Shares His Story: From Childhood to $100 Billion in Charity
Bill Gates, one of the world’s richest people, recently shared new details about his life and charity work in an interview with the BBC. He revealed that his foundation has now given away over $100 billion to fight diseases and poverty.
That’s a huge amount of money—enough to match the entire economy of a country like Bulgaria or build a massive train line like HS2 in the UK. But Gates says he still has more to give.
Despite his massive donations, Gates assures that his three children will not be poor when he’s gone. “They’ll do well,” he says with a smile, explaining that even a small percentage of his fortune will keep them comfortable. According to the BBC, Gates is worth around $160 billion, so even a tiny share of that is a lot of money.
Gates grew up in Seattle, in a middle-class family. His parents worked hard to give him opportunities, like sending him to a private school where he first discovered computers. This early access to technology changed his life. He became obsessed with coding and even sneaked out of his house at night to spend more time on computers.
In his memoir, Source Code: My Beginnings, Gates opens up about his childhood for the first time. He believes he might be on the autism spectrum, which he says helped him focus deeply on his interests. His sisters, Kristi and Libby, remember him as a unique child who spent hours thinking and solving problems.
Gates also talks about his competitive spirit, which he credits to his grandmother. She taught him to play card games and always aim to win. This drive helped him build Microsoft and become one of the most successful tech pioneers in history.
Now, Gates is focused on giving back. Along with his ex-wife Melinda and friend Warren Buffett, he runs the Gates Foundation, which works to improve global health and reduce poverty. He says his mother taught him that wealth comes with the responsibility to help others.
The BBC reports that Gates is one of only 15 people in the world worth over $100 billion. Despite his wealth, he says his lifestyle hasn’t changed much. He still enjoys hamburgers, movies, and his private jet. But he plans to give away most of his fortune, leaving only a small portion to his children.
Gates also shared his thoughts on social media, telling the BBC that he supports banning under-16s from using it. He believes social media can take up too much time and make people worry too much about others’ opinions.
This interview, as reported by the BBC, gives a unique look into the life of one of the world’s most influential people. From his early days as a curious child to becoming a tech billionaire and philanthropist, Bill Gates’ story is one of ambition, hard work, and giving back.
Source: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2p4p4l78zo