PAUL ALLEN
Co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, then became one of the most prolific technology investors, sports team owners, and philanthropists in history.
Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft, wrote the first line of code for what became the world's most valuable company, then left at 30 after a cancer diagnosis and spent the next four decades investing billions in everything from brain science to space to professional sports. He owned the Seattle Seahawks, the Portland Trail Blazers, and a 414-foot megayacht. When he died in 2018, he left behind a $20 billion fortune and institutions that will outlast all of it. Allen proved that the best thing you can do with Microsoft money is spend it on things that matter.
Net Worth
$20 billion (at death)
Nationality
American
Time Horizon
Generational
Risk Appetite
8 / 10
CAREER & BACKGROUND
Born in 1953 in Seattle. Met Bill Gates at Lakeside School when both were teenagers.
Allen was two years older and the more technically minded of the pair. Together they built a traffic-counting machine, hacked a school computer, and eventually dropped out of their respective colleges to found Microsoft in 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Allen wrote much of Microsoft's early code, including the first BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 — the product that launched the company. He left Microsoft in 1983 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma (which he beat).
His departure has been the subject of much discussion — Allen later wrote that Gates and Steve Ballmer tried to dilute his shares while he was ill.
Post-Microsoft, Allen became one of the most prolific investors and philanthropists in history. He founded Vulcan Inc.
(his investment firm), bought the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), funded the Allen Institute for Brain Science, invested in SpaceShipOne (the first private spacecraft), and built the world's largest airplane (Stratolaunch) for launching satellites. He also owned a massive art collection and one of the world's largest yachts.
Allen died on October 15, 2018, from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was 65.
COMPANIES & ROLES
Co-founded Microsoft (1975). Founded Vulcan Inc.
(investment firm). Owner of Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Portland Trail Blazers (NBA).
Founded Allen Institute for Brain Science. Funded SpaceShipOne.
Founded Stratolaunch Systems. Massive philanthropist — gave away over $2 billion during his lifetime.
INVESTING STYLE & PHILOSOPHY
Eclectic and visionary. Allen invested across technology, space, brain science, real estate, sports, music, and art.
His approach was to fund things that fascinated him — regardless of whether they had clear financial returns. Some investments were purely philanthropic.
Others were speculative technology bets.
THE PLAYBOOK
Risk Approach
Very high for visionary projects. Allen funded SpaceShipOne, Stratolaunch, brain mapping, and other projects with uncertain financial returns because he believed they mattered.
But he also held blue-chip investments through Vulcan and was a sophisticated financial investor.
Money Habits
Lived in Seattle and on his 414-foot megayacht, Octopus — one of the largest in the world. Known for being shy and introverted despite his enormous wealth.
Loved music — he played guitar and jammed with rock legends. Threw legendary parties on his yacht.
BIGGEST WIN
Co-founding Microsoft. Allen and Gates built the company that put a computer on every desk.
Microsoft went on to become the world's most valuable company. Allen's early code — the Altair BASIC interpreter — was the foundation of everything that followed.
BIGGEST MISTAKE
The dilution dispute with Gates. Allen wrote in his memoir that while he was being treated for cancer in 1983, Gates and Ballmer discussed diluting his Microsoft shares.
The incident fractured their relationship for years, though they eventually reconciled.
FINANCIAL PHILOSOPHY
Use wealth to push the boundaries of human knowledge. Allen believed that billionaires had a responsibility to fund research and projects that governments and corporations would not.
He put his money where his curiosity was.
FAMILY & PERSONAL LIFE
Never married. No children.
Very private about personal life. His sister, Jody Allen, managed his estate and Vulcan Inc.
after his death. He was known for being generous but personally reserved.
EDUCATION
Washington State University (dropped out). Did not complete a college degree.
Self-educated in computer science alongside Bill Gates.
BOOKS & RESOURCES
His own memoir about co-founding Microsoft and his life after
The history of computer science pioneers
Where Wizards Stay Up Late by Katie Hafner
The story of the internet's creation
As an Amazon Associate, Netfigo earns from qualifying purchases. Book links above may be affiliate links.
QUOTES (5)
I wrote the first line of code for Microsoft. Then I left at 30 with cancer. Life doesn't care about your business plan.
Mapping the human brain is the most important scientific project of our century. I put a billion dollars behind that belief.
I own the Seahawks, the Trail Blazers, and one of the world's largest yachts. But the Allen Institute will outlast all of them.
I funded SpaceShipOne because I wanted to prove that private citizens, not just governments, could reach space. We proved it.
Bill and I built Microsoft together. Then things got complicated. But the code we wrote changed the world, and that matters more than any disagreement.
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