One of the richest men in the world is getting a new job.
Bill Gates today ends his tenure as ultimate boss of Microsoft to devote full time to his huge charitable foundation.
Instead of working to solve problems in the information technology business, he’ll be working to solve the world’s health problems.
Gates is retiring from Microsoft on Friday, although he will remain the company’s non- executive chairman.
Since Microsoft’s start in 1975, Gates has piled nearly all its hats on his head: genius programmer, technology guru, primary decision maker and ruthless leader.
Analysts and scholars credit him with changing software into a money-making enterprise, rather than a pastime for hobbyists.
For Microsoft, the challenge come Monday morning will be how to deal with problems even Gates couldn’t solve, including competition with Google.
Recent remarks indicate the company won’t even try to find a replacement for Gates but will divide his functions among whole groups of employees.
In an interview with NBC’s Tom Brokaw on the eve of his departure, Gates spoke about his new role and the outlook for Microsoft, and said he does not think a deal with Yahoo Inc is likely.
Microsoft had sought a tie-up with Yahoo for more than a year and by early May had offered up to $47.5 billion, or $33 per share, to buy the Internet company.
