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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Entrepreneur

Paul Allen

Paul Gardner Allen was an American entrepreneur, investor, programmer, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft with Bill Gates.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Paul Allen was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft. After his time at Microsoft, he became a prolific investor in science, space, sports, and the arts.

What it is

Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Bill Gates, helping launch the personal-computing software industry. He left active involvement in the 1980s after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease but remained a key figure in the company's history.

Why it matters

Allen's impact extended far beyond Microsoft. Through Vulcan Inc., he founded and funded research institutes in brain science, artificial intelligence, and cell science. He also supported space exploration via Stratolaunch Systems and donated heavily to scientific, educational, and cultural causes.

Key details

Allen owned the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA). His net worth at death was estimated at US$20.3 billion. He was also a noted arts patron, owning a collection of classic artwork and investing in film and television projects.

In short

  • Co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Bill Gates.
  • Left Microsoft in the 1980s after a Hodgkin's diagnosis.
  • Founded multiple research institutes and space ventures.
  • Owned major sports teams and supported the arts.

Quick questions

Who was Paul Allen?
Paul Allen was an American businessman, programmer, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft.
What did Paul Allen do after Microsoft?
He focused on philanthropy and investments in science, technology, space, sports, and the arts, including founding research institutes and owning sports teams.
What was Paul Allen's net worth at death?
His net worth was estimated at US$20.3 billion.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Allen
    Supports: Birth and death dates, Microsoft co-founding, and later ventures including the Allen Institutes and Stratolaunch.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Paul-Allen
    Supports: Identity, birth/death details, Microsoft co-founding, and broad biographical overview.
  3. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/paul-allen
    Supports: Early life, meeting Bill Gates, Microsoft founding, and health-related departure from Microsoft.
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/26/us/paul-allen-fast-facts
    Supports: Birth/death dates, birthplace, education, philanthropy, and ownership of the yacht Octopus.
  5. HistoryLink — https://www.historylink.org/file/10335
    Supports: Microsoft role, wealth ranking, and philanthropic focus in the Pacific Northwest.