Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) co-founder Paul Allen died Monday of complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Allen had announced the return of his condition Oct. 1 but said physicians were optimistic for “good results.”
At 65, the billionaire investor left tangible marks across industries and the globe. Allen’s own Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR) account described him as a “philanthropist, investor, entrepreneur, author, Seattle Seahawks and Trail Blazers team owner, guitarist, neuroscience supporter, space pioneer and Microsoft co-founder.”
Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, and while he left in 1983, he retained stock in the company. “Personal computing would not have existed without him,” Gates said in a statement.
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.
Founded in 1986, Allen’s Vulcan brings together interdisciplinary problem-solvers to address diverse global issues. The company subsumes most of Allen’s properties, including: Vulcan Real Estate and related venues.
Through Vulcan and the Allen Foundation, Allen committed more than $2 billion to solutions in clean energy, climate adaptation, ocean protection, wildlife conservation and global health.
Sad to hear of the passing of Paul Allen, who was a strong advocate for environmental protection. He and the team at Vulcan played a pivotal role in developing the Shark Conservation Fund alongside LDF. His legacy lives on via his incredible work as a philanthropist and investor.
Allen bought the Seattle Seahawks in 1996 and led the team to three Super Bowl appearances, with one win in 2014. The Portland Trail Blazers — bought in 1988 — made the playoffs 23 times and the NBA Finals twice.
On the late Paul Allen: Without him, NBA would’ve abandoned the Pacific Northwest long ago. Howard Schultz sealed Seattle’s fate by selling Sonics to Oklahoma’s Clay Bennett, but Allen committed his resources to keeping the Blazers in Portland. The league’s far better for it.
Benzinga / ABC Flash Point News 2018.
