Bill Gates is a famous tech leader best known for founding Microsoft Corp. He was CEO from 1981 until 2000, transforming Microsoft into one of the world's leading software companies. After stepping down as CEO, he continued to serve as...

Bill Gates is a famous tech leader best known for founding Microsoft Corp. He was CEO from 1981 until 2000, transforming Microsoft into one of the world's leading software companies. After stepping down as CEO, he continued to serve as Chief Software Architect until 2006. By 2020, he had left Microsoft’s board to focus entirely on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which works on global health and education issues. Gates still holds around 103 million shares in Microsoft, valued at over $42 billion. His compensation model was unique for its time—he earned a steady salary and bonuses tied to his performance, but interestingly, he didn’t rely on stock options due to his significant existing stake in the company. He’s notable for stepping back from a day-to-day role to influence technology and society on a larger scale. Gates's knowledge and vision greatly shaped Microsoft's future and continue to impact the tech world today.