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Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Allen’s company Vulcan announced in a statement that he died last Monday. Earlier this month he stated that the cancer he had been treated for in 2009 had returned. Paul Allen was 65 years old.

Together with his childhood friend Bill Gates, Allen founded Microsoft. The two did so in 1975 and until 1983, Allen was associated with the company as executive vice president of research and product development. He then left the company for health reasons, although Allen remained a major shareholder and board member.

Creator of concepts

Although Allen is less well known than Bill Gates, he played an important role in the development of the personal computer. He came up with the name Microsoft and was also the one who came up with the idea of developing software for the first microcomputer. Apparently, Allen was the one who came up with ideas for Microsoft and Gates was the man who put them to the test.

When IBM decided to develop pcs in 1980 and Microsoft asked for an operating system, it meant the company’s breakthrough. The decision made that Microsoft could become one of the most important tech companies in the world and turned Allen and Gates into billionaires. Both later devoted themselves to philanthropy.

My heart is broken by the passing away of one of my oldest and dearest friends, Paul Allen, according to Bill Gates in a statement. Microsoft-ceo Satya Nadella thanks Allen in a statement on Twitter. Paul Allen’s contributions to our company, our industry and our community are invaluable. As a co-founder of Microsoft, he created magical products, experiences and institutes in his own calm and persistent way, thus changing the world.

Donations and sports

Over the past few decades, Paul Allen has donated more than two billion dollars to various causes. He invested heavily in research into the state of the oceans and other scientific research, but he also gave a lot of money to the homeless. He also invested a lot of money in the development of his hometown, Seattle. Allen was also a big fan of sports and owned two teams, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Paul Allen died at the age of 65.

This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.