Bill Gates reveals 5 books that made him a billionaire

Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft and a globally recognized philanthropist, has once again shared his reading recommendations, offering his summer 2025 list focused entirely on memoirs that have profoundly impacted him. 

This list, carefully curated and featuring an eclectic mix of stories, ranges from the personal histories of media moguls and journalists to the transformative journeys of comedians, historians, and groundbreaking CEOs.

Gates’ passion for reading and learning is well-documented, and his recommendations often serve as valuable guidance for those seeking to expand their intellectual and emotional horizons.

His own recent venture into memoir writing with “Source Code,” published earlier this year, reflects his deep engagement with the genre, making his list a thoughtful reflection of the memoirs that shaped his understanding of life, leadership, and human experience.

Gates opens his announcement with a candid acknowledgment of the challenges he faced while writing his own memoir. “Writing a personal memoir was a difficult new challenge,” he wrote, sharing that he relied heavily on his favorite memoirs to guide him through the process.

For Gates, memoirs are more than just stories—they are windows into the diverse, complex lives of others that offer lessons, inspiration, and perspective. He describes entering “serious learning mode” when starting new projects, highlighting his commitment to continuous education and self-improvement.

This summer’s list is presented as an invitation for others to embark on similar journeys of discovery through the powerful narratives contained within memoirs.

The first memoir on Gates’ list is “Personal History” by Katharine Graham, a seminal work by the longtime publisher of The Washington Post.

Graham took the helm of her family’s media empire in 1963 under circumstances that could have daunted anyone: following the death of her father and the suicide of her husband. Gates notes her initial wariness at stepping into such a leadership role during a period when few women held positions of power in major corporations.

Despite these challenges, Graham’s tenure saw the company’s revenue grow by more than $1 billion, a testament to her resilience and leadership acumen.

Gates admires Graham’s legacy, which includes her courage in standing up to President Nixon during critical moments like the Watergate scandal and the Pentagon Papers release, as well as her ability to negotiate labor disputes.

Gates first met Graham in 1991 on the same day he met Warren Buffett, marking a pivotal moment in his own personal and professional network. “This thoughtful memoir is a good reminder that great leaders can come from unexpected places,” Gates wrote, underscoring the memoir’s timeless relevance.

Next on the list is “Chasing Hope” by Nicholas Kristof, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist renowned for his reporting on human rights, health, and poverty.

Gates shares that Kristof’s 1997 New York Times article on children dying from preventable diseases due to lack of clean water profoundly influenced him and inspired much of the Gates Foundation’s work.

Kristof’s 2024 memoir chronicles his extensive 40-year career covering some of the world’s most challenging issues across more than 150 countries. Gates praises Kristof for his optimistic outlook despite witnessing war, poverty, and injustice firsthand.

“In this terrific memoir, Nick writes about how he stays optimistic about the world despite everything he’s seen,” Gates remarks, highlighting the memoir’s balance of realism and hope that resonates deeply with readers seeking inspiration amid adversity.

Tara Westover’s memoir “Educated,” originally on Gates’ 2018 reading list, makes a return as part of his 2025 recommendations, emphasizing its lasting impact.

Westover’s story is a gripping account of growing up in a strict, fundamentalist Mormon family in rural Idaho, where she endured physical abuse and isolation from mainstream society.

Despite these formidable obstacles, she escaped her restrictive upbringing to pursue education, ultimately earning a PhD in intellectual history from Cambridge University.

Gates reflects on the universal journey of coming to see one’s parents not as infallible figures but as complex adults with limitations. He praises Westover for capturing this delicate process of self-discovery with authenticity and emotional depth.

Her memoir’s blend of personal struggle and triumph continues to inspire readers facing their own journeys toward independence and knowledge.

“Born a Crime,” the memoir by comedian and former “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah, is also featured on Gates’ list, reaffirming his previous praise from 2017.

Noah’s story offers a unique lens on apartheid-era South Africa, where his very existence as a biracial child was considered illegal under racial segregation laws. Gates appreciates Noah’s outsider perspective that shaped his comedic voice and worldview.

The memoir’s blend of humor and serious social commentary reveals how Noah navigated the complexities of identity, belonging, and systemic injustice. Gates’ endorsement highlights the memoir’s powerful storytelling and its ability to engage readers through a mix of laughter and reflection.

Rounding out the list is “Surrender,” the memoir of Bono, lead singer of the iconic band U2. Gates describes it as “the best memoir by a rock star I actually know,” praising Bono’s candidness about his journey to fame despite initially being overlooked by his parents.

This early indifference motivated Bono to strive harder for recognition, a theme that resonates beyond the music industry. Gates admires the vulnerability Bono shows throughout the memoir, noting how it inspired him personally in writing his own book.

Bono’s openness provides a model for candid self-reflection that Gates found valuable, offering insights into the human challenges behind public success.

Together, these five memoirs represent a wide spectrum of human experience and achievement. They span leadership in media, frontline journalism, personal liberation through education, the fight against racial injustice, and artistic expression.

Gates’ selections underscore the memoir genre’s power to illuminate the varied paths people take in confronting adversity, shaping their identities, and influencing the world. For readers, these books offer not only engrossing narratives but also lessons in resilience, courage, and empathy.

Gates’ summer list serves multiple purposes. It functions as a reading guide for those seeking meaningful stories that enrich understanding and foster connection. It also reflects Gates’ values—an appreciation for leadership, social impact, personal growth, and artistic creativity.

His recommendations invite readers to engage with stories that challenge perceptions and inspire action. By highlighting memoirs published by Penguin Random House and its imprints, Gates supports publishers dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful literature.

Moreover, Gates’ engagement with memoirs ties into his broader advocacy for education and lifelong learning. Through sharing his reading list, he encourages others to cultivate curiosity, deepen empathy, and gain insights from diverse perspectives.

In a world marked by rapid change and complex challenges, such learning is crucial for informed citizenship and effective leadership. Gates’ own journey as an avid reader and author exemplifies the continuous quest for knowledge and understanding.

In conclusion, Bill Gates’ 2025 summer memoir recommendations offer a rich tapestry of personal stories that span history, culture, and social justice.

From Katharine Graham’s pioneering media leadership to Nicholas Kristof’s global humanitarianism, Tara Westover’s academic triumph over adversity, Trevor Noah’s comedic yet poignant reflections on race, and Bono’s heartfelt artistic journey, these memoirs provide readers with invaluable insights into the human spirit.

Gates’ thoughtful curation not only celebrates literary excellence but also champions the transformative power of storytelling. His list invites readers to explore these compelling lives and, through them, to better understand the complexities and possibilities of their own.