JAKARTA - Bill Gates chose to be a more generous person. He decided to resign from his position on the board at his company, Microsoft to focus more on social or humanitarian activities.
"I have made the decision to step down from the two public boards where I serve Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway to dedicate more time to philanthropic priorities. Including health, global development, education and increasing my involvement in tackling climate change," Gates said in a post on LinkedIn as quoted by the BBC, Sunday, March 15.
Gates was Microsoft's chief executive until 2000. Since then, he's been trying to reduce his involvement in the company he founded with Paul Allen in 1975.
The second richest man in the world announced that he would dedicate more time to prioritizing the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. The announcement of his resignation from Microsoft was also accompanied by his withdrawal from Berkshire Hathaway, a venture pioneered by his close friend Warren E. Buffett.
"I look forward to the next phase as an opportunity to maintain the friendships and partnerships that matter most to me, continue to contribute to two companies I am very proud of, and effectively prioritize my commitment to tackling some of the world's toughest challenges," added Gates.
For decades, Gates was a Microsoft icon known for his technical acumen and promising business practices. He helped build Microsoft Windows software as the primary system for personal computers. Microsoft also said that Gates will remain a technology advisor to the company's current CEO, Satya Nadella.
"I thank Bill for the friendship and look forward to continuing to work with him to fulfill our mission of empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more," said Nadella.
It is known, Forbes lists Gates as the second richest person in the world after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of US $ 103.6 billion (US).
Gates' wealth stems from when he developed software for personal computers and made his big break in 1980, when Microsoft signed an agreement with IBM to build the MS-DOS operating system.
Previously informed, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation had reportedly disbursed funds to help overcome the corona virus outbreak or COVID-19. He donated 10 million US dollars, equivalent to Rp136 billion.
The funds are intended for accommodation in the care of patients infected with the corona virus in Wuhan. Meanwhile, the other half will be distributed to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for crisis control and preparedness in Africa.
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