Bill Gates, in his exclusive interview with NDTV, revealed that if he were growing up today, he would likely be diagnosed on the autism spectrum. His intense focus and need for structure defined his childhood, sometimes making social interactions challenging.
Despite his brilliance, teachers were perplexed by his learning style. When asked to write a school report, Gates turned in 200 pages, while his classmates submitted 5-10 pages. This hyper-focus would later fuel his passion for computing.
Coding for Days, No Social Life
At Lakeside School, Gates discovered computing and spent thousands of hours programming. By his teenage years, he was already envisioning solutions that would shape personal computing.
Gates recalls how he worked up to 80 hours a week in Microsoft’s early days, sacrificing friendships, hobbies, and even a social life. “No girlfriend, no hobbies. My social life centered around work,” he admits in his memoir.
The Loss That Shaped Him
Gates’ childhood was marked by the tragic death of his best friend, Kent Evans, in a hiking accident. This loss deeply impacted him, making him even more driven.
Microsoft: The Vision That Changed Computing
Co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen, Gates was relentless in his pursuit of success. He pushed his team hard, believing that software would revolutionize the world.
Microsoft’s first breakthrough came with a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800. This led to the development of MS-DOS and Windows, making personal computers accessible worldwide.
Rivalries & Innovation
Gates acknowledges the competitiveness within Microsoft. Rivalries with companies like Lotus, WordPerfect, and VisiCorp pushed innovation forward, but Microsoft’s speed and strategy kept it ahead.
Conclusion
Gates’ memoir, Source Code: My Beginnings, offers a deeply personal glimpse into the mind of one of history’s greatest tech visionaries. His journey from an intense, hyper-focused child to a billionaire entrepreneur underscores how passion, sacrifice, and resilience can redefine industries.