Allen ‘created magical products, experiences, and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world,’ Microsoft’s current CEO, Satya Nadella, said in a statement.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has died at age 65 from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Allen passed away Monday afternoon, according to his company, Vulcan. The news comes just weeks after Allen revealed that his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma had returned after successful treatment in 2009.
In a statement, Allen’s sister, Jody Allen said: “My brother was a remarkable individual on every level. While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend.”
Allen is best known for co-founding Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975 after they both decided to drop out of Harvard. He himself suggested the name for the company, which would go on to become one the world’s biggest tech giants.
In a statement, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella said Allen “created magical products, experiences, and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world.”
Allen resigned from Microsoft back in 1983 after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. By then, he was also growing tired of Gates, who he believed was trying to dilute his stake in Microsoft. Nevertheless, Allen’s shares in the company would make him one of the world’s richest men; his estimated worth was at $20 billion. According to Vulcan, which manages his assets, Allen spent $2 billion of his personal fortunate on philanthropy.
“Millions of people were touched by his generosity, his persistence in pursuit of a better world, and his drive to accomplish as much as he could with the time and resources at his disposal,” Vulcan said in a statement.
The CEOs of Apple, Google and Amazon also offered their condolences:
Our industry has lost a pioneer and our world has lost a force for good. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s friends, the Allen family and everyone at Microsoft.
We lost a great technology pioneer today – thank you Paul Allen for your immense contributions to the world through your work and your philanthropy. Thoughts are with his family and the entire Microsoft community.
Very sad to hear of Paul Allen’s passing. His passion for invention and pushing forward inspired so many. He was relentless to the end. My heart goes out to Paul’s family and friends.
Outside of his involvement in Microsoft, Allen is also known as the owner of the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers. Vulcan said there are no imminent changes for the company. “We will continue to work on furthering Paul’s mission and the projects he entrusted to us,” it added.
