On June 15 2006, Bill Gates announced his plan to move out of the day-to-day management of Microsoft. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the richest man in the world is moving on to continue work in curing disease and improving education standards, especially in the most impoverished corners of the world.

Whether you love or hate Microsoft, you have to admire the vision of this man. In 1973, he told his teachers that by 30 he would be a millionaire. He was a billionaire by 31. His early work and vision spearheaded the personal computing revolution and shaped the way we use technology today. He helped to build the world’s largest and most successfull business.

Now, with all his wealth and fortune, he turns himself to charitable work. Having now planned to leave one legacy, Gates is working towards leaving another.

Warren Buffett, the world’s second richest man, made his fortune in the capitalist market. Yet, he has committed to using this money for the betterment of the third world. Buffett has donated almost $37 billion (1.5 billion each year) to the Gates Foundation making it the largest philanthropic gift in history.

With Gates quoted as saying “There is no reason we can’t cure the top 20 diseases,” it will be interesting to witness the legacy of this Foundation in the years to come.