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This is something that has always made me curious as heck. I don't really understand how corporate system works so please forgive me if the answer is extremely obvious. I realize Microsoft's history, their partnership with IBM, their enormous success etc.

But how did Bill Gates end up the world's richest man? If my understanding is correct, he didn't get money every time someone bought Microsoft's software (did he?). According to yahoo finance he now owns a considerably low part of Microsoft (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mh?s=MSFT+Major+Holders).

So how exactly did Bill Gates actually reach his level of wealth? Did he at some point sell a large part of his shares for lots of money?

Again, please forgive me if the answer is fairly obvious.

MrChrister
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Aayush Agrawal
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2 Answers2

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Bill was the founder of Microsoft, so he did indeed have a large number of shares as the company was growing exponentially. He has previously donated a large share of his fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, so his fortune would be even greater were it not for the philanthropy. He is still a large holder of Microsoft stock at about $12B according to your link, but it wouldn't be wise to hold his entire fortune in one company, so he has diversified.

You can see that his investment portfolio at Cascade includes ~$28B in Televisa and ~$7B in Berkshire Hathaway. http://www.tickerspy.com/pro/Bill-Gates---Cascade-Investment

And you can keep track of whether he stays at the top by watching the bloomberg billionaires list. http://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/

NL - SE listen to your users
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Bill gates is founder of microsoft along with his friend allen.in microsoft as its vast empire increasing the wealth and enormous property of bill gates is increasing

Ypiyush
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