Net Worth: $21 bil Country of citizenship: United States Residence: Mercer Island, WA, United States Industry: Software Marital Status: single Washington State University, Drop Out Microsoft cofounder's "wired world" vision not looking visionary just yet. At Vulcan Ventures, his private investment vehicle, recently replaced longtime head William Savoy with younger sister Jody Patton. Also unloaded big stake in RCN at a big loss. Still has plenty of room for risk thanks to $5 billion Microsoft stake. Increased stake in cable company Charter Communications despite indictment of four former senior execs for inflating results; dumped big investment in drug company Vaxgen, maker of failed AIDS vaccine. Dozens of other technology projects not quite ready for prime time. Perhaps better luck in bricks and mortar. Plans to develop 50-acre "bioscience hub" in Seattle with commercial, residential space; Merck already signed on as tenant. Other projects: science fiction museum alongside his Experience Music Project in Seattle. Among the collection: the original captain's chair from Star Trek television show. Collector of vintage military airplanes, including WWII-era Spitfire, Zero. Joined Bill Gates in 1975 to start Microsoft, left in 1983 to fight Hodgkin's disease. Slow but steady seller of big Microsoft stake ever since