“For Microsoft, stepping down from the board does not mean leaving the company. Microsoft will always be an important part of my life, and I will continue to work with Nadella and technology executives to help shape the vision, Achieving the company’s ambitious goals. I have never been more optimistic about the company’s progress and how it can continue to benefit the world.”

Tencent Securities March 14 news, Microsoft Corp. said on Friday that its co-founder and technical adviser Bill Gates stepped down from the board to spend more time on his charity.

He will continue to serve as a technical advisor to CEO Nadella and other company leaders. Bill Gates also previously announced his withdrawal from Berkshire’s board.

Gates wrote on LinkedIn: “I have decided to step down from my two board positions, Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway, to spend more time on philanthropy, including in global health and development, education and response In areas such as climate change. The leadership of Berkshire and Microsoft has never been stronger, so it’s time to leave.“

“For Microsoft, stepping down from the board does not mean leaving the company. Microsoft will always be an important part of my life, and I will continue to work with Nadella and technology executives to help shape the vision, Achieving the company’s ambitious goals. I have never been more optimistic about the company’s progress and how it can continue to benefit the world. “

Bill Gates is one of Microsoft’s major shareholders. According to FactSet, he holds 1.36% of the shares. The company went public in 1986 and is now one of the world’s highest listed companies with a total market value of $ 1.21 trillion.

“I have been honored to work with Bill and learn from him for years,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen. He was the chairman, CEO, and chief software designer of Microsoft. He holds more than 8% of the company’s common shares and is the company’s largest individual shareholder.

In the Forbes Global Rich List from 1995 to 2007, Bill Gates was the world’s richest man for 13 consecutive years. He left Microsoft on June 27, 2008, and donated $ 58 billion in personal company property to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Forbes magazine’s 2014 ranking of the richest American, Bill Gates topped the list with $ 81.2 billion in assets. Bill Gates ranked 2nd in the Bloomberg Billionaire Index and Forbes 2019 Billionaires List with assets of $ 100 billion. He is ranked 2nd in the 2019 US 400 Rich List with $ 106 billion in assets.

Gates stepped down as CEO of Microsoft in January 2000. He remains chairman and has created a new position, Chief Software Architect.

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In June 2006, Gates announced that he would change his full-time job at Microsoft to a part-time job, and he gradually transferred his responsibilities.

He resigned as chairman of Microsoft in February 2014, while still serving as a technical consultant to assist newly appointed chief executive Satya Nadella.

As of press time, Microsoft’s stock price fell nearly 3% after the close of trading. As of Friday’s close, Microsoft surged 14.23% on the day to $ 158.84.

Bill Gates Open Letter

Focus on my time

I have decided to withdraw from the two boards I serve, Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway, to spend more time on philanthropy, including global health and development, education, and climate change that I am increasingly committed to… The leadership of Berkshire Hathaway and Microsoft has never been stronger than it is now, so now is the time to take that step.

Serving on the Berkshire Board has been one of my greatest honors in my career. Warren and I are best friends. I joined a long time ago, not long after. I look forward to continuing my partnership as co-trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and co-founder of The Giving Pledge.

For Microsoft, exiting the board of directors does not mean exiting the company. Microsoft will always be an important part of my life, and I will continue to keep in touch with Satya and technology leaders to help shape the vision and achieve the company’s ambitious goals. I am more optimistic than ever about the progress the company is making and how it can continue to benefit the world.

I look forward to the next phase of opportunity, an opportunity to maintain the friendship and partnership that is most important to me, continue to contribute to the two companies I am very proud of, and effectively prioritize my contribution to solving the world Commitment challenges on some of the toughest issues.

Bill Gates