Bill Gates Degree

Just in the extremely rare case you haven't heard of Bill Gates, Gates is the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft.




Bill Gates was a member of Harvard's Class of 1977. He first came to the university in 1973, but left in 1975 to devote his time to developing Microsoft, which he founded that year with childhood friend Paul Allen.

Bill Gates eventually got his Harvard degree in 2007, 32 years after he walked away from campus on the path to becoming the world's richest person.

"I am very pleased that the Harvard community will have the opportunity to hear from Bill Gates on June 7," Harvard Alumni Association President Paul Finnegan was quoted as saying. "His contributions to the world of business and technology, and the great example he has set through his far-reaching philanthropy, will rightfully put him on center stage in Harvard Yard."

It has to be noted that Gates helped turn Microsoft into the world's largest maker of computer software, with annual revenues in excess of $44 billion during the 2006 fiscal year. He was the company's chief executive until 2000 and still serves as chairman.

Gates and his wife, Melinda, created the "Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation" in 2000, which is now the world's largest philanthropic foundation with an endowment of about $33 billion.

The foundation concentrates on promoting global health, ending poverty and hunger and enhancing education. "The Gates Foundation" also is a major donor to Harvard.

Needless to say that Forbes magazine estimated Gates' worth at $56 billion, making him the world's wealthiest person.


Feel free to comment and share this blog post if you find it interesting!