Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and renowned philanthropist, holds zero earned PhDs or any doctoral degrees obtained through academic research and coursework.
Gates attended Harvard University in 1973, studying mathematics and computer science, but dropped out in 1975 to start Microsoft with Paul Allen. He never completed a bachelor’s degree, let alone pursued graduate studies. His decision to leave academia prioritized building one of the world’s most influential technology companies over traditional credentials.
That said, Gates has received at least eight honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions worldwide. These include an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Harvard in 2007 where he humorously told his father, “I always told you I’d come back and get my degree” as well as honors from the University of Cambridge, Tsinghua University, Karolinska Institutet, and others. Honorary degrees recognize exceptional contributions to society, not academic achievement through dissertation or examination.
These symbolic titles reflect Gates’ transformative impact through Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed over $50 billion to global health, education, and poverty alleviation. His work on eradicating polio, reducing malaria, and advancing vaccine access has saved millions of lives achievements far beyond any academic title.
In short: Bill Gates has no earned PhDs, but several honorary ones. His legacy proves that real-world innovation and dedication can outweigh formal education. For those inspired by his journey, Gates often advises: focus on solving big problems, not collecting degrees.