William Henry Gates III is an American business magnate, philanthropist, the world's third richest person (as of 2008), and chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen.

His last day at Microsoft was June 27, 2008.

Bill Gates in 1965.

Bill Gates (last row, central) in 1966 with his school football teammates

Bill Gates (R) in 1969 with his classmate Paul Allen

Bill Gates' business card during 1975-1979

Bill Gates in 1977 when he was arrested for driving with overspeed

t's the original 11 Microsoft employees at their office in Albuquerque, N.M., in 1978. Gates is sporting a toothy smile in the bottom left corner.

Bill Gates in 1991

Bill Gates in 1993

Bill Gates in 1994 dress himself as Superman

Bill Gates (R) in 1994 with his newly married wife Melinda French

Bill Gates in 1995 with children who won in a writing contest supported by Microsoft.

Bill Gates in 1996 with then U.S. president Bill Clinton

Bill Gates and his wife top Times "Person of the Year" in 2005

Bill Gates on cover of newsweek in 2008