Posted on 05/04/2006 10:40:32 AM PDT by LouAvul
REDMOND, Wash. (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said Wednesday he wished he were not the world's richest man.
"I wish I wasn't. There is nothing good that comes out of that," said Gates, whose personal fortune sank by billions since last week when the software giant disappointed investors by saying new investments would crimp earnings.
The corporate leader who made Microsoft into the world's largest software maker - and who is also one of the biggest philanthropists - is seen as a man who does not like publicity. He explained that he did not like the attention of being the world's richest person.
"You get more visibility as a result of it," he said during an interview conducted by CNBC reporter Donny Deutsch in front of a crowd of people attending a Microsoft advertising event.
The Microsoft co-founder said that the person he learned most from in the world, aside from technology colleagues, was fellow-billionaire and legendary investor Warren Buffett.
"He has this very refreshing, simple way of looking at things so I put him top of the list," said Gates, adding that the top lesson from Buffett was the importance of integrity.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
My wife can help out with that...
More white guilt.
Mr. Gates should be careful about what he wishes for ...
Agreed I could use a few bucks. I need a new mower.;)
From the sound of this title, it sounds like he wishes wasn't that stupid either...
Then get UNRICH!
Send it to me. I'll put it to good use.
Gates is nauseating.
It's like people who wish they weren't a rock star. If you want to be less wealthy, it's pretty simple to achieve that goal, actually.
Boo hoo hoo.
The little (insert expletive) could give me a couple million, and never miss it. But I'll bet he won't.
While I won't dis Bill on being a tightwad because his Bill and Melinda Gates foundation does some wonderful things to make this world a better place.....
If he feels this way, put your money where your mouth is and liquidate some of that 50 billion in stock, and donate it to worthy causes.
I dont think it's white guilt, in this case. He didnt talk about how his earnings are unjustified or how there are so many poor people out there. He just said he doesnt like the attention. How is that "white guilt?"
I don't know how Bill Gates manages to stay rich when he's constantly sending large sums of money to anybody who forwards certain emails to at least ten people.
Does he make use of ANY tax shelters?
If Donny Deutsch is a "reporter," John Kerry is a stand-up guy.
Because the SOB never pays!!! He owes me thousands for forwarding those messages, but the check never comes.
I got one of those emails but only knew 9 people...
He should just enjoy it and quit giving in to liberal guilt.
He may very well get his wish.
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