![School children hold portraits of Microsoft co-founder Gates during celebrations to mark his 60th birthday in Chennai School children hold portraits of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in front of a giant picture of Gates during celebrations to mark his 60th birthday inside the school premises in Chennai, India on Oct. 28, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill-gates-celebration.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By Lisa Eadicicco and TIME Photo
Bill Gates, philanthropist and cofounder of Microsoft, turned 60 years old on Oct. 28. Gates is the wealthiest man in the world, and he along with his wife Melinda have put their fortunes towards starting numerous campaigns aimed at making the world a better place. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation runs various programs that seek to improve global health, eliminate poverty, and provide easier access to education among solving other issues impacting the world. In these photos, school children in Chennai, India honored Gates’ birthday by holding portraits of him during a celebration.
![INDIA-US-SOCIETY-GATES Indian schoolchildren hold Bill Gates masks.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill-gates-celebration-india.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Bill Gates: The Early Years
![Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Future Microsoft head Bill Gates watching his friend (and future co-founderof Microsoft) Paul Allen typing on a keyboard when they were students at lakeside School.Future Microsoft head Bill Gates watching his friend (and future co-founderof Microsoft) Paul Allen typing on a keyboard when they were students at lakeside School.FC 17513 (8X10)Subject Date: 0/0/1968Last Published: March 31, 2003Series: TIMETitle: Caption: Future Microsoft head Bill Gates watching his friend (and future co-founderof Microsoft) Paul Allen typing on a keyboard when they were students at lakeside School.City: State/Province: WACountry: USPhotographer: Photog Status: FREELANCEAgency: LAKESIDE SCHOOL/MICROSOFTSyndication By: AGENCYSubjects: SPECIAL COLLECTIONS-20TH CENTURY SELECTPersonalities: GATES, WILLIAM H. III ALLEN, PAULSource: FORTUNERef No: 05838008.JPGMedium: B/W TRANSPARENCY](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Future billionaire computer wiz Bill Gates reclining on desktop & talking on phone while attending private Lakeside School.Filing Place: TC 104378Subject Date: 0/0/1973Last Published: January 25, 1999Series: TIMETitle: Caption: Future billionaire computer wiz Bill Gates reclining on desktop & talking on phone while attending private Lakeside School.City: SEATTLEState/Province: WACountry: USPhotographer: Photog Status: FREELANCEAgency: LAKESIDE SCHOOLSyndication By: AGENCYSubjects: Personalities: GATES, WILLIAM H. IIISource: TIMERef No: 05586784.JPGMedium: B/W TRANSPARENCY](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Photo of Bill Gates mug shot from the book "The Dog Dialed 911."Filename: 116570.jpgTake/Roll/Frame: Date Taken: November 1, 2006Photographer: Agency: SMOKING GUNCity: State: Country: US Reference: 21148Filing Place:?Location: Photo #: 13111098Keywords: "BILLGATES" Selling rights: NOwned? NoSyndicator: AGENCYPixels x Scans: 1466 x 1032Input Date: November 1, 2006 16:51Date last Output: (unknown date)Date last Published: November 13, 2006Series: PEOPLE Title:](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (L) & Bill Gates (R).Filing Place: FC 17513Subject Date: 0/0/1982Last Published: October 2, 1995Series: FORTUNETitle: Caption: Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (L) & Bill Gates (R).City: SEATTLEState/Province: WACountry: USPhotographer: BARRY WONGPhotog Status: FREELANCEAgency: SEATTLE TIMESSyndication By: AGENCYSubjects: Personalities: GATES, WILLIAM H. III ALLEN, PAULSource: FORTUNERef No: 05836435.JPGMedium: B/W TRANSPARENCY](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Microsoft foundering staff (L-R) (front) Bill Gates, Andrea Lewis, Marla Wood & Paul Allen; (top) Steve Wood, Bob Wallace & Jim Lane; (middle) Bob O'Rear, Bob Greenberg, March McDonald & Gordon Letwin.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, behind a pile of books, holds up Bookshelf, a new compact disc for computers which holds all the information contained in the books pictured. (Photo by Doug Wilson//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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