8. Air Travel
via: Microsoft News Center
Microsoft company policy for a long time was that every employee flew coach. One former employee recounted a time in 1990 when he was traveling with Gates and sure enough, Bill himself was sitting in the coach section right along with the others. The word is that Bill actually flew coach until 1997. These days though, things are a little different.
Bill now owns a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express, which apparently seats 19 and costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million give or take. This is a far cry from flying coach, but of course things are a little different for him now. With philanthropic and research interests all over the earth, his need to travel is a little more frequent. Plus, let’s be honest, when you’re worth about $85 billion, you can splurge a bit.
7. Ending Poverty
via: ABC News
Gates very publicly wants to end poverty. He is of the belief that through the intervention of some of the wealthiest people on earth, it is possible to create a better life for humanity. For this reason, beyond his work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he and Warren Buffett established The Giving Pledge Foundation. Both men, set out to meet with some of the wealthiest people in Asian nations to implore them to join the initiative.
If the goal of eradicating poverty is the mission of The Giving Pledge Foundation, then it will take a lot more than Bill and Warren, though, there are no two men better paired to convince others to join. Over 80 people have signed-on and pledged their support to the foundation. His giving spirit and drive to help others is truly inspirational for the world.
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