Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King

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From the finance editor of The New York Times comes an examination of Bill Gates—one of the most powerful and complex figures of the past four decades—and an exploration of our national obsession with billionaires. This work reveals how the wealthiest wield power, shape their public image, and engage in philanthropy to become heroes, repair reputations, and influence policy. Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975, at a time when computers were primarily in government offices, and by 1987, he had become the first technology billionaire. By 1995, he was the richest man in the world, forever altering our perception of tech founders and their impact on daily life. However, Gates's narrative is multifaceted, as Anupreeta Das’s reporting uncovers the secrets of billionaires and the darker aspects of philanthropy. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private philanthropic entity, has transformed Gates into a prominent do-gooder billionaire, affecting millions. Drawing from hundreds of interviews with employees of the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, and others, Das examines Gates's relationships with figures like Warren Buffett, Jeffrey Epstein, and Melinda French Gates, revealing truths behind the myth. This insightful and timely narrative addresses the intersections of money, government, wealth, power, and media, highlighting how institutions align with the world’s richest individuals.