Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced his withdrawal from the Microsoft board and Berkshire Hathaway board to invest more time in philanthropy.

Redmond, WA (Merxwire) - Bill Gates announced that he will resign from the Microsoft board and Berkshire Hathaway board, and will devote his time to charity activities, focusing on global health and development, education, and climate change.

Mr. Gates, 65, is one of the richest people in the world. He said that although he resigned from the Microsoft board, he did not leave the company. He said "the company always be an important part of my life's work" and hewill continue to maintain contact with the company's management.

"I am looking forward to this next phase as an opportunity to maintain the friendships and partnerships that have meant the most to me, continue to contribute to two companies of which I am incredibly proud, and effectively prioritise my commitment to addressing some of the world's toughest challenges. " Mr. Gates said.

The Legend of Bill Gates

Mr. Gates dropped out of school early, moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and founded Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen. In 1980, Microsoft and IBM signed an agreement to build an operating system called MS-DOS. Microsoft was public in 1986, within a year, then Gates, at 31, had become the youngest self-made billionaire.

Mr. Gates announced in June 2006 that he would transfer Microsoft's full-time job to a part-time job and gradually shifted responsibilities. He stepped down from day-to-day role running Microsoft in 2008.

He is listed by Forbes as the second richest person in the world, with a net worth of $ 103.6 billion, second only to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Devote to philanthropy

Mr. Gates has been with Warren Buffett's massive holding company, Berkshire Hathaway board since 2004. But he spends most of his time with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a charity established with his wife.

The couple were selected by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the most generous philanthropist in the United States in 2018, after giving $ 4.8bn to their foundation the previous year.

In order to concentrate on philanthropy, Mr. Gates decided to withdraw from the Microsoft board and Berkshire Hathaway board and said on social media that "time is up." In the future, he will focus his time and energy on charity work, focusing on issues such as global health, education, environment and climate.