Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is one of the richest people in the world. Yet among all his possessions, one item stands out as invaluable to him: a handwritten letter from his father.
What does the letter say? For Bill Gates’ 50th birthday, his father, William H. Gates Sr., wrote a personal letter to his son. In this personal writing, he encouraged his son to always maintain his curiosity and emphasized the incredible experience of being a father.
This simple principle of constant curiosity shaped not only Gates’ approach to challenges but was also a key factor in Microsoft’s rise to a global technology giant.
Years later, shortly after the death of his father in September 2020, Bill Gates recalled this letter in a moving post on his blog GatesNotes. He wrote that the words of his father continue to accompany him and inspire him daily – both in his work and in his personal life.
The Father as the Most Important Teacher
What role did his father play in the success of Microsoft? According to Bill Gates, William H. Gates Sr. was not just a supportive father but also a respected lawyer. In the early years of Microsoft, he provided his son with legal advice and helped navigate the legal and business challenges of building Microsoft.
In his very personal obituary to his father, Gates explained that his influence went far beyond private advice: he was a moral authority and helped him in difficult phases of life – both professionally and personally.
Why is this letter so significant for Bill Gates? In a world where material wealth often takes precedence, the letter reminds us of what truly matters: the experiences, advice, and love of family and friends.
For Bill Gates, his father’s written words symbolize not just a simple memory but also the principles that significantly influenced his individual path and the success of Microsoft.
How did the letter influence his career and life? His father’s letter remains a source of inspiration for Bill Gates. Even though Bill Gates has stepped back from day-to-day operations, his curiosity continues to drive his engagement in new (especially social) areas. Together with his wife Melinda, he founded the Gates Foundation, which promotes health, education, and poverty alleviation worldwide (via GatesFoundation).
Bill Gates owes his father many valuable life lessons – but when it comes to success, the right mindset also plays a crucial role. In job interviews, he notes, there is one particularly tricky question that throws applicants off balance: Bill Gates explains how to answer the toughest question in a job interview
