Paul Allen Biography: Microsoft Co-Founder and Philanthropist

A Quick Look at the Life of Paul Allen

Origins: Seattle, Books, And A Changing World

He was born in Seattle in 1953, growing up in a city that would later become one of the world’s major tech hubs.

His father worked as associate director of the University of Washington Libraries, placing books and information close to home.

That setting mattered, because his early life unfolded in a period when computers were shifting from rare machines to tools that more people could touch.

As a teenager, he attended Lakeside School in Washington state.

That school became a turning point, not because it guaranteed a career, but because it put him near early computing resources and other students who cared about them.

At Lakeside, he met Bill Gates and began a friendship built around programming.

Their early work together did not happen in a polished startup world.

It happened in a time when young people who wanted to code often had to chase access, learn by doing, and build skill through repetition.

That shared focus created a partnership that would soon move beyond school projects and into professional decisions.

After Lakeside, he continued his education at Washington State University.

He left the university in 1974 after two years and chose a different path.

He went to work as a computer programmer for Honeywell near Boston, placing him close to the East Coast technology scene and near Gates, who was attending Harvard.

Early Growth: A Partnership Forms Around Code

In the mid-1970s, the idea of a “personal computer” was gaining traction.

Small machines were starting to appear that could sit outside a lab or a corporate data center.

That shift created a direct need: software that could run on these new systems and make them useful.

He and Gates reunited and focused on writing software for early microcomputers.

They adapted BASIC, a popular programming language used on larger computers, so it could run on smaller machines.

This was not a side project for them.

It became a practical path into a market that was opening fast, even if it was still small by modern standards.

It also set up a pattern that would define much of his life story.

When he saw an emerging platform, he leaned into the tooling and infrastructure that could make it real.

In this case, the platform was early microcomputing, and the tool was software that could spread across many machines.

Breakthrough: The Altair Deal And The Birth Of Micro-Soft

The first big break came in 1975, when he and Gates secured a contract with Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS).

The job was to adapt BASIC for the Altair computer, one of the early microcomputers that drew serious attention.

It was a concrete step from enthusiasm into business.

After the contract, he moved to MITS’s headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

At MITS, he served as vice president and software director.

This role mattered because it placed him inside the real operational side of the early microcomputer industry.

At the same time, the success of that work changed the stakes for him and Gates.

Gates left Harvard during his junior year, and the two formed Micro-Soft in 1975, the company that would become Microsoft.

That choice became one of the major turning points of his life.

It shifted him from being a gifted programmer and early technologist into a founder building a company around a simple idea: software could be a core product, not an afterthought.

In 1976, he left MITS to work full time for Microsoft.

That move tightened focus and increased risk, but it also meant he was now building something that could scale well beyond a single contract.

In those early years, Microsoft did not yet have the cultural weight it would later carry.

It was still a growing firm in a new market, competing for deals and trying to become essential to hardware partners.

Building Microsoft: Deals That Shaped The PC Boom

Inside Microsoft, he became known for work that combined technical insight with business timing.

He was influential in securing a nonexclusive license for the DOS operating system in 1980.

Soon after, he helped broker the rights that allowed the software—renamed MS-DOS—to be provided for IBM personal computers.

The consequence was enormous.

That arrangement placed Microsoft at the center of a decade-long PC boom and helped set the company up for long-term dominance in personal-computer software.

He served as Microsoft’s chief technologist until 1983.

Even in a company driven by code, that role carried real strategic weight.

It meant helping decide what the company built, how it positioned its products, and how it responded to the rapidly changing PC market.

By the early 1980s, the industry was moving quickly.

New machines, new standards, and new competitors were appearing, and the software layer was becoming the glue that made a growing ecosystem work.

His work sat at the center of that shift.

And then, at a moment when the business was rising, his personal circumstances forced another major change.

• He and Gates built early microcomputer software by adapting BASIC for smaller systems.
• They secured a contract with MITS in 1975 to adapt BASIC for the Altair.
• He moved to Albuquerque to work at MITS and served as vice president and software director.
• They formed Micro-Soft in 1975, which became Microsoft.
• He helped secure a nonexclusive DOS license in 1980 and helped broker the MS-DOS arrangement for IBM PCs.

Health And Departure: Leaving Microsoft, Keeping A Lasting Tie

In 1983, he resigned from Microsoft after being diagnosed with Hodgkin disease.

The resignation ended his day-to-day leadership role at the company at a time when Microsoft’s influence was expanding.

But it did not erase his connection to what he helped build.

He remained on the board of directors after stepping down from his operating role.

Later, he resigned from the board around 2000 and subsequently sold much of his stake in the company.

Public accounts also describe disputes between the co-founders during that period.

At the same time, his ownership stake meant he had resources to pursue a different kind of career.

That second act would become one of the most distinctive parts of his story.

It was not a clean break from technology.

Instead, it became an expansion into many fields, with technology often sitting in the background as a tool for broader goals.

Reuters also reported that he died from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and noted he was treated for that condition in 2009 and again later in life.

Reinvention: Vulcan, Investments, And New Platforms

In 1986, he co-founded Vulcan Inc. with his sister, Jody, to oversee investments.

This was a structural decision, but it shaped everything that followed.

It gave him a vehicle to run long-term projects across business, culture, and research.

He also co-founded the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in 1990.

The foundation and related efforts became part of a long arc of philanthropy tied to the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

By the late 1990s, his work was no longer confined to software.

He started the independent film production company Vulcan Productions in 1997.

He also pursued music in a direct way, serving as guitarist for the Seattle group Grown Men, which was founded in 1996.

These choices show a consistent theme.

He used his post-Microsoft resources to build institutions and projects that matched his interests, even when they sat far from mainstream business expectations.

Over time, Vulcan and related entities became known for taking on work that blended big ambition with long timelines.

Some projects aimed at public benefit, others were commercial, and many sat in between.

The common thread was scope.

He was not trying to copy his first career.

He was using the freedom of his second career to pursue a wider set of goals.

Culture And Community: A Museum With A Seattle Address

At the turn of the century, he became a co-founder of the Experience Music Project (EMP) in 2000.

EMP was designed as an interactive music museum.

Later, it expanded its focus and was renamed the Museum of Pop Culture.

In Britannica’s account, the Museum of Pop Culture is listed among the institutions he founded.

His estate’s official website also frames MoPOP as part of a larger commitment to culture and creative expression.

The museum stands as a visible example of how his second act worked in practice.

Instead of building only companies, he also built public spaces.

Those spaces aimed to pull art, music, and technology into the same conversation.

For Seattle, that mattered.

It added to the region’s cultural identity at a time when the city’s national image was being reshaped by technology growth.

And for his biography, it shows that his impact was not limited to the software industry.

Science And Exploration: Research, Space, And The Deep Ocean

In 2003, he founded the Allen Institute for Brain Science.

It was built as a brain research facility, adding a major scientific institution to the Seattle region.

Reuters described him as directing billions of dollars toward philanthropic projects, including work tied to science in the Pacific Northwest.

His projects in exploration also moved into aviation and space.

In 2004, Britannica reports that he funded SpaceShipOne, described as the first privately funded civilian venture into space.

That effort became part of the early modern story of private space activity.

His exploration interests also went underwater.

Britannica reports that he led expeditions that discovered the wrecks of World War II vessels, notably the USS Indianapolis in 2017 and the USS Lexington in 2018.

These projects were not small symbolic gestures.

They required specialized teams, equipment, and long-range planning.

They also carried public meaning, because they touched national memory, military history, and long-standing unanswered questions about where certain ships rested.

Scientific and exploration projects often run into a common barrier: time.

They can take years without guaranteed results.

His second career shows a willingness to back efforts that might not pay off quickly, but could produce major outcomes if they worked.

• Founded Vulcan Inc. in 1986 to oversee investments and projects.
• Co-founded the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in 1990.
• Founded the Allen Institute for Brain Science in 2003.
• Funded SpaceShipOne, which made history as a privately funded civilian space venture.
• Led expeditions that located the wrecks of the USS Indianapolis (2017) and USS Lexington (2018).

Sports And Civic Impact: Teams, Cities, And Long-Term Stakes

In 1988, he became the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers.

In 1997, he became the owner of the Seattle Seahawks.

Britannica presents both ownership roles as part of his later career, and the Seahawks’ official site describes his 1997 purchase as a move that helped keep the team in Seattle.

Sports ownership is often described as entertainment, but it also has civic consequences.

Teams sit at the center of city identity, public spending debates, and long-running community pride.

His ownership placed him in that arena for decades.

He also became a co-owner of Seattle Sounders FC beginning in the late 2000s.

Sounders FC’s own announcement notes that he was part of the ownership group announced in November 2007.

In the team’s early years, that ownership structure connected the club to a broader set of regional institutions and venues.

Disputes And Legal Battles: The Cost Of Big Ideas

Not every major figure in technology has a clean public record.

His career also included conflicts, both personal and legal, that became part of the public story.

Reuters described his departure from Microsoft as occurring after a dispute with Gates, even as health issues were also central to that period.

Later, in 2010, Britannica reports that he sued nearly a dozen technology companies for allegedly violating patents he had financed more than a decade earlier.

The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal court in 2014.

Britannica further reports that an appeal was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court the following year.

These episodes show a pattern that often follows major innovation.

When ideas scale, ownership claims and legal boundaries can become high-stakes battles.

They also show that his second act did not stay away from controversy, even as it reached into public-benefit work.

Where It Stands: Death And A Legacy Built In Two Acts

He died on October 15, 2018, in Seattle.

Reuters reported that he died from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Britannica also lists his death date and place as Seattle.

His public legacy is often described in two acts.

The first was the early rise of Microsoft, where his technical work and business efforts helped shape the PC era.

The second was a wide portfolio of institutions and projects that reached into culture, sports, research, and exploration.

On the civic side, his influence is visible in Seattle’s institutions and teams.

On the science side, his legacy includes building a major brain research facility in the region.

On the cultural side, it includes a museum designed for public engagement with music and pop culture.

And on the exploration side, it includes privately backed efforts that reached both space and the deep ocean.

Even recognition lists and awards reflect that breadth.

He was included in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list, and he received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

His Giving Pledge letter also shows the public direction he set for his long-term giving, with a focus on urgent global challenges.

Timeline

This timeline highlights key public milestones in chronological order.

Each entry reflects a documented event tied to career shifts, major institutions, or widely noted projects.

The focus stays on the “what” and “when,” because those are the parts that can be pinned down most reliably.

1953

Born in Seattle, Washington.

1974

Left Washington State University after two years.

1975

Formed Micro-Soft with Bill Gates after securing the MITS Altair BASIC contract.

1976

Left MITS to work full time at Microsoft.

1980

Helped secure a nonexclusive DOS license and supported the MS-DOS arrangement tied to IBM PCs.

1983

Resigned from Microsoft after being diagnosed with Hodgkin disease.

1986

Co-founded Vulcan Inc. with his sister, Jody, to oversee investments.

1988

Became owner of the Portland Trail Blazers.

1990

Co-founded the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

1997

Became owner of the Seattle Seahawks and started Vulcan Productions.

2000

Co-founded the Experience Music Project (later the Museum of Pop Culture) and stepped down from Microsoft’s board around this period.

2003

Founded the Allen Institute for Brain Science.

2004

Funded SpaceShipOne, described as the first privately funded civilian venture into space.

2007

Became part of the ownership group for Seattle Sounders FC (announced in November 2007).

2010

Filed a patent lawsuit against multiple technology companies; the case was later dismissed.

2013

Founded the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

2017

Led an expedition that located the wreck of the USS Indianapolis.

2018

Led an expedition that located the wreck of the USS Lexington; died in Seattle at age 65.

FAQs

These FAQs focus on the most common questions readers ask when they first learn about his life and impact.

Answers are written for everyday readers and stick to widely documented facts.

If a detail is not consistently documented in top-tier sources, it is not treated as settled.

Question: Who was Paul Allen?

Answer: He was an American investor and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft. He later became known for major work in sports ownership, culture, research, and exploration.

Question: When and where was he born?

Answer: He was born on January 21, 1953, in Seattle, Washington.

Question: When and where did he die?

Answer: He died on October 15, 2018, in Seattle. Reuters reported he died from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Question: How did he meet Bill Gates?

Answer: They met while attending Lakeside School in Washington state. They shared an interest in computers and began building programming skills together.

Question: What was his role in founding Microsoft?

Answer: He co-founded the company with Gates in 1975, after the two worked on software for early microcomputers. Britannica describes Micro-Soft as the company they formed that became Microsoft.

Question: What was the Altair contract, and why did it matter?

Answer: In 1975, he and Gates secured a contract with MITS to adapt BASIC for the Altair computer. That deal became a key launch point for their software business.

Question: Did he attend college?

Answer: Yes. He attended Washington State University but left in 1974 after two years.

Question: Why did he leave Microsoft?

Answer: He resigned in 1983 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin disease. Public accounts also describe disputes during that period, but the health diagnosis is a clearly documented factor.

Question: Did he stay connected to Microsoft after leaving?

Answer: Yes. He remained on Microsoft’s board after stepping away from his operating role, and he later stepped down from the board around 2000.

Question: What was Vulcan Inc.?

Answer: It was a holding company he co-founded in 1986 with his sister, Jody. It helped oversee investments and long-term projects.

Question: What sports teams did he own?

Answer: He became owner of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1988 and owner of the Seattle Seahawks in 1997. He also became part of the ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC.

Question: How did he become owner of the Seahawks?

Answer: The Seahawks’ official site states he purchased the team in 1997 after efforts to keep the franchise in Seattle. The site describes this as tied to a public-private partnership for a new stadium plan.

Question: What is MoPOP, and what was his connection to it?

Answer: MoPOP is the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. Britannica lists it among the institutions he founded, and his estate’s website links it to his broader cultural work.

Question: What scientific institution did he found in Seattle?

Answer: Britannica reports that he founded the Allen Institute for Brain Science in 2003. Reuters also described the institute as part of his Seattle-area philanthropic footprint.

Question: What was SpaceShipOne, and what did he do for it?

Answer: Britannica reports he funded SpaceShipOne, described as the first privately funded civilian venture into space. His support helped make the effort possible.

Question: What World War II wrecks did he help locate?

Answer: Britannica reports he led expeditions that discovered the wrecks of the USS Indianapolis in 2017 and the USS Lexington in 2018.

Question: What was the 2010 patent lawsuit about?

Answer: Britannica reports he sued multiple technology companies in 2010 for allegedly violating patents he had financed earlier. The case was dismissed in 2014, and a later appeal was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question: Was he part of the Giving Pledge?

Answer: Yes. His Giving Pledge page includes a public letter describing the focus areas he aimed to support through philanthropy.

Question: What major honors did he receive?

Answer: He received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. He was also included in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list.

Question: What is a safe summary of his legacy?

Answer: His legacy sits in two broad chapters: co-founding Microsoft during the rise of the personal computer, and building a wide range of projects in sports, culture, research, and exploration. Both chapters are central to how he is remembered publicly.

Quotes

“In my experience, each failure contains the seeds of your next success–if you are willing to learn from it.”

“Here’s what the death knell for the personal computer will sound like: Mainly I use my phone/paid, but I still use my PC to write long e-mails and documents. Most people aren’t there yet, but that’s where we’re headed”

“You look at things you enjoy in your life, but much more important is what you can do to make the world a better place.”

“Technology is notorious for engrossing people so much that they don’t always focus on balance and enjoy life at the same time.”

“In the first eight or so years at Microsoft, we were always chained to our terminals, and after I got sick the first time, I decided that I was going to be more adventurous and explore more of the world.”

“The possible is constantly being redefined, and I care deeply about helping humanity move forward.”

“History shows that you ignore emerging platforms at your peril, because one of them might make you irrelevant.”

 

Sources:

• Britannica: Paul Allen Biography Facts
• Biography.com: Paul Allen Microsoft
• Infoplease: Allen Paul Gardner
• Reuters: Dies Of Cancer 65
• PaulAllen: PaulAllen Home, MoPOP
• Seahawks.com: Paul G. Allen
• Seattle Sounders: Sounders Co-owner Dies
• The Giving Pledge: Giving Pledge Letter
• Carnegie Medal Of Philanthropy: Carnegie Medal Citation
• TIME: Time 100 2007
• Berkeley News: Allen Telescope Array
• Images commons.wikimedia.org – Paul Allen,  commons.wikimedia.org – Microsoft Building