Gates and Buffett, 89, have been friends for years. Gates joined Berkshire’s board in late 2004 and the pair deepened their ties in 2006, when Buffett said he would plan to give away the bulk of his fortune to charitable groups including the Gates Foundation. Buffett and Gates, both billionaires, have continued to push for more philanthropic efforts among the wealthiest, with initiatives such as “The Giving Pledge.”
“He leaves an enduring legacy of curiosity and insight that serves as an inspiration for us all,” Microsoft Chairman John Thompson said in the company statement.
--With assistance from Dina Bass, Jenny Surane and Taylor Riggs.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.