Photo credits: John Keatley.
In a principality known for its international reach and philanthropic engagement, the lessons drawn from global figures offer perspective. Secrets of Success, Love, and Life: The Legacy of the World’s Visionaries, a recurring column for Monaco Voice, begins with Bill Gates - the Microsoft co-founder who became one of the most influential philanthropists of the 21st century. His journey from software developer to steward of a $75 billion foundation is a case study in how ambition, discipline, and impact can align over time.
At 69, Gates remains active, focused, and publicly committed to long-term global change. His approach to business, relationships, and giving provides relevant insights for Monaco’s own business leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists.
Curiosity as a Catalyst for Success
In 1975, Bill Gates, 19, and Paul Allen, 22, founded Microsoft after writing software for the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers. By 1990, Microsoft Windows was installed on more than 80 percent of personal computers globally. Gates, who began programming at the Lakeside School in Seattle, viewed computing as a tool for mass empowerment.
Photo credits: History Link. Paul Allen and Bill Gates, 1980
His early business philosophy emphasized speed, strategic thinking, and relentless curiosity. That mindset helped Microsoft dominate the personal computing market. But it also led to federal antitrust scrutiny. In 1998, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit accusing Microsoft of anti-competitive practices. Gates defended the company vigorously but later acknowledged the need to evolve.
For Monaco’s entrepreneurs and innovators, Gates’ example shows that deep technical knowledge paired with long-term vision can scale exponentially - while also requiring accountability and adaptability.
Love and Impact in Partnership
Gates met Melinda French at a Microsoft event in 1987. They married in 1994 and went on to build not just a family, but one of the most influential private foundations in history. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, launched in 2000, has since committed more than $70 billion to initiatives in global health, education, and poverty alleviation.
The foundation is widely credited with reducing global child mortality by more than half over two decades. “All lives have equal value,” became its guiding principle. The couple took a data-driven approach, focusing on scalable solutions - malaria prevention, vaccine development, and sanitation systems among them.
Their divorce in 2021 was public but amicable. Melinda Gates remained co-chair of the foundation until 2024, when she stepped down with a $12.5 billion payout to fund her own philanthropic work.
Their partnership demonstrates that personal and professional alignment can lead to durable impact - an insight relevant to Monaco’s couples and philanthropists managing legacy ventures.
Photo credits: Stackumbrella.
Together, they have three children—Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe—each carving a path of their own, grounded in the family’s ethos of curiosity, equity, and purpose.
Jennifer, the eldest, is a medical doctor and an accomplished equestrian. Rory, their only son, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and later a master’s degree from the university’s Harris School of Public Policy. Melinda Gates described her son as “a great writer and a deep thinker,” adding: “I love that he’s feminist and well-rounded. We need more young men like him.” Phoebe, the youngest, graduated from Stanford University in 2024. In June of that year, Gates shared a reflection on Instagram about watching her cross the stage at commencement:
“Phoebe and I both left college early, but she came away from Stanford with a degree. While I’ve always been proud to call her my daughter, that pride reached new heights when I watched her cross that stage in June. It’s a remarkable thing to see your child embark on a similar path of building something new and to be able to offer some insight.
But ultimately, it’s Phoebe’s dedication, amazing ability to bring people together, and willingness to take risks that lead her to make a lasting impact in everything she does.
She’s not only an incredible student - she’s an incredible daughter, and an even better person.”
Photo credits: Bill Gates Instagram. Phoebe Adele Gates and Bill Gates.
Disciplined Optimism and Measurable Change
Gates’ worldview is anchored in his disciplined optimism. He believes problems can be solved, but only through measurable, sustained effort. The foundation has played a key role in financing vaccines, agricultural reform, and digital education systems in developing nations.
In Source Code, Gates reflects on his privileged upbringing in Seattle and acknowledges the advantages he had, such as access to education and technology. He discusses how these privileges shaped his opportunities and responsibilities. For instance, in his Gates Notes blog, Gates writes:
“I was an extremely lucky kid. I was born to great parents who did everything to set me up for success. I grew up in a city I love and still call home, at the dawn of the computer age. And I went to one of two schools in my state - one of a handful in the country - that actually had computer access. These were all strokes of luck that helped shape my future.”
Adaptation in a Changing Global Environment
In 2024, Gates contributed $50 million to Future Forward USA Action, a political action committee supporting data-driven policies. The move marked an unusually direct engagement in electoral politics for him, aimed at supporting evidence-based governance.
Following foreign aid reductions under the 2025 U.S. administration, the Gates Foundation reallocated resources to maintain momentum in maternal health, infectious disease, and agricultural development. This shift reflected Gates’ willingness to respond to global disruptions without altering long-term objectives.
Alignment with Monaco’s Priorities
The Gates Foundation’s structure and focus areas parallel many of Monaco’s initiatives. Gates’ collaboration with then-Chancellor George Osborne in 2016 to launch the Ross Fund for malaria research reflects a similar commitment to international partnerships. Monaco has long supported comparable goals through the Prince Albert II Foundation and the Princess Grace Foundation, which focus on environmental protection, scientific advancement, and the arts.
Gates’ decision to sunset the foundation by 2045—deploying all resources within 20 years—marks a shift from perpetual institutions to high-impact, time-bound philanthropy. “We will spend everything down and we hope others will take up the work.”
A Legacy in Motion
At 69, nearing a milestone, Gates continues to reshape the concept of global leadership. His philanthropic model - focused on impact, transparency, and humility - offers a relevant framework for Monaco’s next generation of leaders.
His story, marked by technical mastery, global engagement, and strategic giving, offers more than a biography. It’s a template for individuals and institutions seeking to match influence with responsibility.