Paul Allen: Microsoft co-founder and billionaire dies aged 65 (bbc.co.uk).
Passing on from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the return of which he had only disclosed two week ago having previously been treated in 2009.
His Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said: “I am heartbroken by the passing of one of my oldest and dearest friends… Personal computing would not have existed without him.”
Co-founding Microsoft in 1975 with school friend Bill Gates his departure from Microsoft in 1982 resulting from a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis led to a well-publicised row over stock ownership (seattletimes.com, Mar. 2011), but retaining a position on the Microsoft board of directors until 2000, still remaining as a senior strategy advisor to the company’s executives after.
Allan was founder and Chairman of Vulcan Inc. which managed his multibillion-dollar investment portfolio including technology and media companies, scientific research, real estate holdings, private spaceflight ventures and his notable philanthropic efforts, also famously acquiring the Seattle Seahawks football team in 1997, the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team in 1998 as well as Seattle Sounders FC soccer team in 2009.
Although never marrying and at times considered something of a recluse but his sister Jody described him as a “remarkable individual on every level” and in a statement saying:
“Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern. For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends.”
#RIPPaulAllen (Instagram).
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