Bill Gates became chairman of Microsoft in 1981.
Microsoft began as a partnership between Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, initially developing software for the Altair 8800. The company was incorporated in 1981, the same year Gates became its chairman. That period marked Microsoft’s transition from a small software venture into a formally structured corporation.
Gates also served as Microsoft’s chief executive officer for many years, so chairman and CEO are often confused in summaries of his career. His chairmanship continued long after Microsoft’s 1986 initial public offering and through the company’s expansion into operating systems and applications.
Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s chairman in 2014, although he remained involved with the company for several years as a technology adviser. Steve Ballmer succeeded him as chairman.