Inside the daily routine of billionaire Bill Gates

A look at the lifestyle of the Microsoft founder, who enjoys cheeseburgers, bridge and reading

Aine Cain
Business Insider
Monday 21 August 2017 08:50 EDT
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(AP)

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What does the richest man in the world get up to all day?

Bill Gates is worth $85.2 billion, making him the wealthiest person on planet Earth, according to Forbes.

Since stepping down from the helm of Microsoft in 2006, Gates has thrown himself into the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which donates money to research and charitable organisations.

His daily routine is often quite busy and varied, as he travels the world and launches new initiatives.

Here's a look inside the daily schedule of Bill Gates, the wealthiest man in the world:

Gates claims to enjoy the chocolate cereal Cocoa Puffs, but his wife Melinda told Betsy Layne High School students that he usually skips breakfast.

If he's not travelling, Gates starts the day in this staggering Medina, Washington property. The mansion was estimated to be worth $124 million as of 2016.

Back in 2008, Gates was known to work out on the treadmill after waking up, while “watching DVDs from the Teaching Company's 'Great Courses' series,” according to the New York Times.

He also loves to play tennis.

(Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty)
(Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty) (Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)

Gates checks the headlines every morning. He typically reads The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist.

According to The Telegraph, his schedule is broken up into five-minute intervals — Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk does the same. Every moment is carefully planned.

It's a jam-packed routine, but the billionaire keeps track of his plans and ideas by jotting down notes.

When it comes to lunch, Gates has one favourite meal in particular. In a Reddit AMA, the billionaire responded “Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger” to a question about his favourite sandwich.

A double cheeseburger, fries and soda lie on a table at Majors Hamburgers December 28, 2003 in Yakima, Washington
A double cheeseburger, fries and soda lie on a table at Majors Hamburgers December 28, 2003 in Yakima, Washington (Getty)

Gates is a famously voracious reader, and always sets some time aside to hit the books. He also recommends a ton of titles on his personal website.

Gates can kick back and read in his enormous library. The domed room features numerous rare books, including Leonardo da Vinci's famed “Codex Leicester.”

When he's not working or reading, Gates spends time with his three kids. He especially enjoys touring unusual locations like electric plants and missile silos with his son. “He likes learning along with me,” Gates told Quartz.

(Getty)
(Getty) (Getty Images)

While spending time with his family is Gates' favourite past time, he also enjoys playing bridge on the weekends.

So how does the richest man in the world unwind at the end of the day? By doing chores, apparently. In 2014, Gates told Reddit that he washes the dishes every night, adding that “other people volunteer but I like the way I do it.”

And, when it comes time for bed, Gates makes sure that he turns in early enough to snag seven hours of shut eye.

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Read the original article on Business Insider UK. © 2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.

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