# Gates (DD-565)

> Bill Gates, born in 1955 in Seattle, co-founded Microsoft, which became the leading personal-computer software company. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left the board in 2020. The Reel puts his 2025 net worth at about $104.6 billion and highlights his philanthropy through the foundation he co-founded, which works on health, education and poverty and was renamed the Gates Foundation in 2024. The footage, credited to Leon - 4k Nature Film, shows scenic footage.

- Department: People (also Tech)
- First published: 2025-05-07
- Last updated: 2025-05-07
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/gates/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1955**: Born in Seattle
- **2000**: Steps down as CEO
- **2020**: Leaves Microsoft board

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=gates

## Quick facts

- **DD-565-F01**: 1955, Seattle. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Born))_
- **DD-565-F02**: Microsoft co-founder. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Company))_

## Write-up

Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft and later left its board in 2020. He now focuses on philanthropy.

1. **Born**: 1955, Seattle.
2. **Company**: Microsoft co-founder.
3. **CEO until**: 2000.
4. **Board exit**: 2020.
5. **Net worth**: ~$104.6B (2025), per the Reel.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel uses the name 'Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation'; it was renamed the Gates Foundation in 2024.

## Video: Gates: Bill Gates Co-Founded Microsoft and Later Left Its Board in 2020

- Duration: 26.4 s · Published: 2025-05-07
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DJX26BwRif6.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know Bill Gates, born in 1955 in Seattle, is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft, which he helped build into the world's leading personal computing company before stepping down as CEO in 2000 and fully departing the board in 2020. As of 2025, Gates' net worth is estimated at around $104.6 billion, and he is heavily involved in global philanthropy through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on health, education, and poverty reduction. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Birth city?**  
A: 1955. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Born) · Wikipedia: Bill Gates)_

**Q: Company?**  
A: Co-founded. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Company) · Wikipedia: Bill Gates)_

**Q: Stepped down as CEO?**  
A: Ballmer. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (CEO until) · Wikipedia: Bill Gates)_

**Q: Left the board?**  
A: Fully. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Board exit) · Wikipedia: Bill Gates)_

**Q: Focus now?**  
A: Foundation. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Net worth) · Wikipedia: Bill Gates)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Bill Gates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Gates." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-565, last updated May 7, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/gates/