evidence: Bill Gates and Microsoft (MSFT) were the driving force behind modern computer software, ushering in the digital age in the 1980s and becoming, for a time, the world’s most powerful company. And somehow, while Gates was building an empire and enjoying his status as the richest person on earth, he was also quietly setting up what would become the second major focus of his life: philanthropy. And it is in part thanks to that work that the COVID-19 vaccine that is currently rolling out was achieved in record time. [...] Since the emergence of COVID-19, Bill Gates has been one of the most familiar public faces on the airwaves, and for good reason. This was the moment, without knowing it, the foundation had been preparing for.