-By JOSEPH EDUN, ABH PRESS
Microsoft cofounder, Paul Allen has died at 65. Allen who died from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma had said earlier in the month that he was receiving treatment for the disease. He cofounded Microsoft with his childhood friend, Bill Gate in 1975 but left in 1983 when he was diagnosed of Hodgkin’s disease He died in Seattle, Washington DC. He first received treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009 but went into remission.
After leaving Microsoft, Allen went on to establish Vulcan, an investment company, buying into a diverse set of companies and markets. Vulcan’s current portfolio ranges from the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, to a group focused on using machine learning for climate preservation, to Stratolaunch, which is creating a spaceplane, two professional sports teams, the NFL Seattle Seahawks and NBA Portland Trailblazers.
Bill Gate in his praise for the technology pioneer said “personal computing would not have existed without him”. In a statement released to ABC news, Gates stated,
“I am heartbroken by the passing of one of my oldest and dearest friends, Paul Allen. From our early days together at Lakeside School, through our partnership in the creation of Microsoft, to some of our joint philanthropic projects over the years, Paul was a true partner and dear friend. Personal computing would not have existed without him.
But Paul wasn’t content with starting one company. He channeled his intellect and compassion into a second act focused on improving people’s lives and strengthening communities in Seattle and around the world. He was fond of saying, “If it has the potential to do good, then we should do it.” That’s the kind of person he was.
Paul loved life and those around him, and we all cherished him in return. He deserved much more time, but his contributions to the world of technology and philanthropy will live on for generations to come. I will miss him tremendously.”
Other technology giants including Apple CEO, Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos and many others have praised his contributions to the birth of technology and his massive philanthropic work.
Allen, who ranked 44th on Forbes’ 2018 list of billionaires with an estimated net worth of more than $20 billion as of Monday when he died, was a major philanthropist whose range of philanthropic activities are majorly domiciled in Seattle. Allen’s own website stated that his “philanthropic contributions exceed $2 billion,” channelled through his philanthropic organisation, Paul G. Allen Philanthropies and he had also committed to giving away the majority of his fortune.
These charitable projects include;
The Experience Music Project in Seattle, devoted to the history of rock music
A recently funded $46 million building in South Seattle to house the homeless and low-income families.
A $500 million Allen Institute for Brain Science he funded in 2003.
The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Allen Institute for Cell Science in 2014
The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group in 2016 , which funds cutting-edge research.
Allen’s sister, Jody, said in a statement, “While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much-loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend. Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern, for all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us – and so many others – we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.”
Paul Allen with Bill Gate in 1981 in the early days of Microsoft
much more time, but his contributions to the world of technology and philanthropy will live on for generations to come. I will miss him tremendously.”
Other technology giants including Apple CEO, Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos and many others have praised his contributions to the birth of technology and his massive philanthropic work.
Allen, who ranked 44th on Forbes’ 2018 list of billionaires with an estimated net worth of more than $20 billion as of Monday when he died, was a major philanthropist whose range of philanthropic activities are majorly domiciled in Seattle. Allen’s own website stated that his “philanthropic contributions exceed $2 billion,” channelled through his philanthropic organisation, Paul G. Allen Philanthropies and he had also committed to giving away the majority of his fortune.
These charitable projects include;
The Experience Music Project in Seattle, devoted to the history of rock music
A recently funded $46 million building in South Seattle to house the homeless and low-income families.
A $500 million Allen Institute for Brain Science he funded in 2003.
The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Allen Institute for Cell Science in 2014
The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group in 2016 , which funds cutting-edge research.
Allen’s sister, Jody, said in a statement, “While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much-loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend. Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern, for all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us – and so many others – we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.”
