Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has announced that he is stepping down from the company's board to focus on philanthropy.
The billionaire says he plans to dedicate more time to global health, education and climate change. He announced Friday that he's leaving the Microsoft board entirely as well as his seat on the board of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate headed by fellow billionaire Warren Buffett.
Gates was Microsoft's CEO until 2000. After the year 2000, he gradually scaled back his involvement in the company he started with Paul Allen in 1975. According to the Associated Press, he transitioned out of a day-to-day role in Microsoft in 2008 and served as chairman of the board until 2014.
He plans on dedicating more time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. However, he will remain a technology adviser to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and other company leaders, adds the Associated Press.
PHOTO: AP Photo / Elaine Thompson, File