Gates' last day at Microsoft

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 27 Jun 2008 at 07:13

Bill Gates is to step down today as the chief software architect of Microsoft in order to pursue charity work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates announced in June 2006 that he would be stepping down, giving the company a rather longer than usual two years' notice.

However, he will still maintain strong links with the company that he dropped out of Harvard to start over three decades ago.

As well as remaining the largest shareholder with $23 billion in stock he will continue to work as the company's chairman and on special technology projects.

Microsoft has been an extremely profitable venture for Gates, and at the peak of his wealth in 1999 he was worth over $100 billion, making him the richest man in the world.

"There's nothing good that comes out of that,' Gates once said of his huge fortune.

For a look at the achievements Gates made during his career, and to see if he will be missed, read our feature, Farewell Bill Gates.