Bill Gates (October 28, 1955 – )
Founder and Technical Advisor of Microsoft

Daily Routine and Philosophy About Money

Bill Gates is known not just as an ordinary IT entrepreneur, but as a global philanthropist, a transmitter of knowledge, and the very symbol of wealth. As the co-founder of Microsoft, he helped bring computers to people all around the world. Today, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he continues to make enormous contributions in public health, vaccine development, epidemic prevention, and education reform.

His daily routine focuses not so much on “efficiency” as on “concentration.” He begins his day early with exercise, and instead of scheduling every hour, he prefers to choose one major problem to focus on for the day and immerse himself in it. He says that reading is the most sacred and valuable time of his day, spending hours broadening his perspective on the world through books. In fact, Gates reads more than 50 books per year and even publishes his own annual “Gates Book Recommendations,” showing how central reading is to his life.

His philosophy about money is very clear: “Wealth is responsibility.” Even after amassing an enormous fortune, he continues to live modestly and decided to return most of his wealth to society. Together with Warren Buffett, he launched the Giving Pledge, encouraging billionaires to donate a majority of their assets to charity. Gates himself has already donated more than half of his fortune to his foundation. He often says that money is not a tool to satisfy personal desire, but a lever that can improve the world.

Favorite Foods and the Values Reflected in His Eating Habits

Bill Gates is far from being a gourmet. His eating habits, revealed through interviews and documentaries, are astonishingly simple and practical. He is famously fond of cheeseburgers and Diet Coke, and he has often been seen buying breakfast at McDonald’s—sometimes even carrying a paper cup full of coins instead of a wallet.

(Interestingly, his eating habits and way of thinking are remarkably similar to those of Warren Buffett.)

But behind this simplicity lies a profound philosophy. Gates once said, “I want to spend more energy solving problems than on food.” Rather than using food as emotional comfort, he consumes only the nutrition and energy necessary, then devotes the rest of his attention to intellectual pursuits. It makes one wonder—is frugality just another name for discipline?

He also views meals not as mere social events but as platforms for the exchange of knowledge. Even when dining with figures like former President Obama or Warren Buffett, the conversation always revolved around the “problems of the future.” For Gates, meals are not indulgent breaks but moments for mental refueling and intellectual dialogue.

(To modern people who often find joy in gastronomy, such an approach might sound almost ascetic—but perhaps this restraint is what humility and simplicity truly mean.)

Philosophy of Love and Human Relationships

Bill Gates shared 27 years of marriage with his former wife, Melinda French Gates, and together they co-managed their foundation, greatly contributing to global health, education, and the empowerment of women.

Their divorce shocked the world, but even afterward they continued their joint philanthropic work. Gates has said that he views love as “a space of mutual respect and growth.” Though not one to openly express emotion, he often mentioned that his partner helped him become a better person. Melinda, in turn, is credited with instilling in him a sense of balance, empathy, and social responsibility.

His relationship with his children is also unique. He publicly declared that he would not leave them enormous inheritances, instead focusing on guiding them toward independence and meaningful lives. His philosophy is clear:

“I can give you a good education and open doors of opportunity, but the rest of your life is yours to build.”
It’s a statement that reflects love grounded in trust and wisdom.

Lessons Modern People Can Learn

Bill Gates is often described as an extraordinary man who achieved exceptional results through ordinary intellect and time management. He believes that it is not genius creativity, but steady problem-solving and deep thinking that change a person’s life. One of his most memorable quotes is:

“People overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten.”

This saying reminds us of the power of consistent, long-term effort. Gates emphasizes that rather than chasing short-term results, habits that save time, standards for trustworthy information, and the courage to reflect on failure are what truly matter.

What we can learn from Gates is not just the accumulation of wealth, but the essence of living in the information age — what to believe, how to think, and where to invest our time.

Even for Bill Gates, a day has only 24 hours — the same as ours.
How did I spend my 24 hours today, and with what attitude and purpose?