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Bill Gates is not just the founder of Microsoft—he’s a paradox wrapped in genius, influence, and radical humility. From hacking his school’s computer to scheduling his own classes, to building a trillion-dollar tech empire, Gates’ journey is filled with unusual, quirky, and jaw-dropping moments. While most biographies focus on his rise in tech and philanthropy, there’s a whole world of lesser-known facts that reveal his complex personality, eccentric habits, and groundbreaking influence.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or just curious about one of the most influential men in history, this article peels back the layers and dives into 10 mind-blowing facts about Bill Gates that rarely make it to the mainstream narrative.
10 Facts – From hacker to Harvard dropout: The untold youth of Bill Gates
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He hacked his high school’s scheduling system to be in classes with girls.
While attending Lakeside School, a private preparatory school in Seattle, Gates and his friend Paul Allen hacked into the school’s scheduling software. Gates famously adjusted his own class schedule so he could be in classes with “a disproportionate number of interesting girls.” -
He scored a 1590 out of 1600 on the SAT.
Gates’ intellectual brilliance was evident early on. Despite being a mischievous teen, he aced the SATs—one of the highest scores in his class—securing him a spot at Harvard University. -
He wrote his first computer program at age 13.
Gates’ first foray into coding began when he wrote a tic-tac-toe game in BASIC that allowed users to play against the computer. This was on a General Electric computer funded by his school’s Mothers’ Club. -
He was banned from using computers temporarily.
After exploiting bugs in the Lakeside School computer system, Gates and a few friends were banned from computer access for the summer. He later gained access again when the school asked him to help identify more flaws. -
He read entire encyclopedias for fun.
Gates wasn’t just a math geek. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. As a child, he would read the entire World Book Encyclopedia series cover to cover—often just for fun. -
He and Paul Allen founded a business before Microsoft.
In high school, Gates and Allen started a venture called Traf-O-Data, which created traffic data processors. Though the business wasn’t a commercial success, it laid the groundwork for their future collaboration on Microsoft. -
He dropped out of Harvard to chase a startup dream.
In 1975, Gates made the bold decision to leave Harvard after just two years. He and Allen had seen a Popular Electronics cover story on the Altair 8800, which sparked their move to create software for microcomputers—what would become Microsoft. -
He wasn’t sure he’d make it in business.
Contrary to popular belief, Gates didn’t leave Harvard with full confidence. In interviews, he’s admitted he thought Microsoft might just be a phase, and he could always go back to college. -
He used to memorize license plates for fun.
As a teen, Gates had a bizarre hobby: he memorized license plates so he could track the comings and goings of Microsoft employees. He also got several speeding tickets, including one with Paul Allen in New Mexico, where Microsoft was based at the time. -
He lived on pizza, Diet Coke, and late nights.
During his early Microsoft days, Gates was known for his intense focus. He often pulled all-nighters, powered by junk food and soft drinks, sometimes working 36 hours straight.
10 facts- Weird billionaire habits: From rocking chairs to annual think weeks
Bill Gates may be a tech genius, but his daily life is full of quirky rituals, billionaire oddities, and hyper-productive habits that separate him from the average mogul. These aren’t just random preferences—they reflect the mindset of a man who built a trillion-dollar company while quietly reshaping the future of global health and education. Let’s explore ten strange but fascinating behaviors that reveal the unique mind of Bill Gates.
1. He rocks—literally—while thinking
Instead of pacing or standing, Bill Gates often sits in a rocking chair while deeply thinking or reading. It’s a calming habit he’s retained since childhood. The repetitive motion reportedly helps him concentrate and absorb information during his legendary reading sessions.
2. His “Think Week” is sacred and solo
Every year, Gates retreats to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest for a week-long intellectual sabbatical known as Think Week. No calls, no meetings—just stacks of papers, research reports, and books. These sessions have led to major breakthroughs like Internet Explorer.
“I read about 15 hours a day and take notes. It’s the ultimate productivity binge.” – Bill Gates
3. He memorizes license plates
At Microsoft’s early headquarters, Gates had a bizarre hobby: memorizing his employees’ license plates so he could track when they arrived and left work. While creepy to some, he claimed it was about “work ethic,” not surveillance.
4. He reads 50 books a year—and finishes them all
Gates is obsessed with reading. He reads about one book per week, covering topics from quantum physics to poverty economics. Unlike many, he commits to finishing each book, no matter how dense or challenging.
“Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.” — Bill Gates
5. He owns a massive trampoline room in his mansion
Gates’ $127 million smart home, Xanadu 2.0, includes a private trampoline room. He says it’s one of his favorite ways to blow off steam—showing that even billionaires enjoy bouncing around sometimes.
6. He avoids phone calls and prefers email
Despite being a tech innovator, Gates is famously anti-phone. He prefers detailed email exchanges to calls or texts. His inbox is carefully curated, and he’s known for thoughtful, often philosophical, replies.
7. He still washes dishes every night
Yes, Bill Gates personally washes the dishes after dinner. He finds it relaxing and refuses to let anyone else do it—even when guests are around. It’s a nightly ritual that grounds him.
“I do the dishes every night—it’s the one chore I claim.” — Bill Gates
8. He eats the same cheeseburger almost every day
Gates is famously unadventurous with food. His go-to meal? A classic cheeseburger and Diet Coke. Whether at home, at work, or traveling on his private jet, he often requests the same basic combo.
9. He uses a $10 watch and drives modest cars
Despite his wealth, Gates has never been flashy. He wore a $10 Casio watch for years and often drives modest sedans instead of exotic cars. His emphasis is always on function over flair.
10. He tracks mosquito bites during malaria trips
On global health trips, Gates has been known to personally track mosquito behavior and bite patterns, even subjecting himself to bites during field research. It’s part of his hands-on approach to tackling malaria.
5 facts- The Gates paradox: Extreme wealth meets radical giving
- Bill Gates gave away over $50 billion through the Gates Foundation
Despite being one of the richest men alive, Gates has donated more than half of his net worth to global causes like vaccines, education, sanitation, and climate change through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded in 2000. -
He pledged to give away 99% of his fortune
In 2010, Gates co-founded the Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett, urging billionaires to commit at least half their wealth to philanthropy. Gates took it further, promising to eventually give away 99% of his wealth. -
He’s not leaving his fortune to his children
Despite his massive fortune, Gates publicly stated he will only leave a small portion of his wealth to his three children, emphasizing that inheritance should not “distort their lives” and that they should forge their own paths. -
Invests in toilets, not Teslas
While most billionaires race to invest in futuristic cars or space travel, Gates invested over $200 million in reinventing the toilet, aiming to improve sanitation in developing countries and reduce diseases caused by poor hygiene. -
He spends billions fighting malaria and HIV
The Gates Foundation has spent over $15 billion on fighting infectious diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, making it one of the largest private funders of global health in history.
Bill Gates’ life isn’t just a blueprint for tech success—it’s a study in intellectual obsession, visionary risks, and human evolution. These lesser-known facts highlight that even the world’s richest man had quirks, doubts, and detours that shaped his unique journey. To understand Gates is to understand how unconventional thinking can change the world.