Bill Gates’ memoir 'Source Code' reflects on his early years

Bill Gates revisits his childhood and early days in 'Source Code,' the first volume of his memoir.

Bill Gates. © Doug Wilson/Corbis Getty Images

By Laila Azzahra and Hayu Andini

Source Code: My Beginnings, by Bill Gates

Bill Gates has long been a towering figure in technology and philanthropy. As the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, he has shaped the modern digital landscape. His influence extends beyond software, with billions poured into global health initiatives through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Yet, Gates has also faced public scrutiny, particularly following his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates and reports of his associations with Jeffrey Epstein.

With such a complex and eventful life, speculation about a Gates memoir had been brewing for years. Would he address his personal controversies? Reflect on his legacy? Offer insights into the tech industry’s evolution? His newly released book, Source Code, is the first in a planned three-volume memoir, but it doesn’t tackle these later chapters—at least not yet. Instead, it focuses on Gates’ childhood and the early days of his obsession with computers, stopping just before Microsoft’s rise to dominance.

A nostalgic look at childhood and privilege

Source Code begins in Seattle in 1955, where Gates was born into a well-off family. His upbringing was marked by stability, privilege, and intellectual encouragement. His mother, Mary, played an active role in community and corporate leadership, while his father, William H. Gates Sr., was a successful attorney. Gates acknowledges this advantage early in the book, stating that he grew up with “unearned privilege” as a white male in an era of racial segregation.

Despite this charmed life, Gates paints himself as a precocious and rebellious child. He recalls being competitive even at a young age, citing a Cub Scouts fundraiser where he sold 179 pounds of nuts. His fascination with problem-solving led him to excel in math, giving him confidence that the world was a rational place where answers could always be found.

Yet, his early academic life was not without struggle. Gates admits to developing a brash personality, questioning authority, and frustrating teachers with his overconfidence. His parents, concerned about his defiance, sent him to therapy—an experience he credits with helping him navigate his strong-willed nature.

Discovering computers and the road to Microsoft

The heart of Source Code lies in Gates’ discovery of computers. As a student at the elite Lakeside School, he gained access to a rare computer terminal—an opportunity that shaped his future. Along with classmates, including Paul Allen, Gates began experimenting with programming, often sneaking out of his house to code through the night.

This relentless pursuit of coding excellence continued into his Harvard years, where he balanced schoolwork with marathon coding sessions, sometimes staying awake for 36 hours at a stretch. While he portrays this work ethic as a necessity, there’s an underlying sense of pride in the extreme effort he put into mastering his craft.

Gates also touches on his early business instincts. Even before founding Microsoft in 1975, he was profiting from software ventures, reinforcing his belief that technology was not just an intellectual pursuit but a means to revolutionize industries.

The making of a tech giant

As Source Code progresses, Gates offers glimpses into his competitive nature, particularly in his early dealings with Paul Allen. He recalls renegotiating their Microsoft ownership split, increasing his share from an initial 60-40 to 64-36 in his favor. While he expresses some regret over this decision, he ultimately defends it as the right move for the company.

His reflections on gender and intellect in tech are also telling. He admits that as a child, he downplayed his academic efforts, fearing that being studious was perceived as “a girl thing.” Yet, he acknowledges the influential women in his life—his mother, grandmother, and teachers—who encouraged his intellectual pursuits. Still, when it comes to his early experiences with computers, the narrative remains dominated by male figures.

A revealing but incomplete memoir

Despite its detailed storytelling, Source Code leaves much unsaid. The memoir ends before Microsoft’s rise to prominence, avoiding discussions of the company’s antitrust battles, Gates’ transition from CEO to philanthropist, and his more recent personal controversies. For readers hoping for insights into his later years, they will have to wait for future volumes.

Gates offers a few personal reflections in the book’s epilogue, hinting at a deeper self-awareness. He mentions his lifelong habit of rocking in place while thinking and speculates that if he were growing up today, he might be considered on the autism spectrum. These admissions add a personal touch to an otherwise polished and carefully constructed narrative.

In his final paragraphs, Gates notes that, while he has always been focused on the future, he now finds himself reflecting more on the past. This sentiment aligns with Source Code’s nostalgic tone—filled with childhood anecdotes, early ambitions, and the foundational moments that shaped his career.

Yet, as the first installment of a trilogy, the book feels like an extended prologue. The most pivotal moments of Gates’ career and personal evolution remain unexplored, leaving readers eager to see whether the next volumes will provide a more unfiltered look at his life’s triumphs and challenges.