Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Dies At 65 After Battle With Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Paul Allen, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, died on Monday at the age of 65.

According to several reports, Allen died in his native Seattle following complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Two weeks ago, the entrepreneur and philanthropist announced he was receiving treatment for the cancer.

Allen enrolled in Washington State University for two years but then dropped out to co-found Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975.

After leaving Microsoft in 1983, Allen founded investment company Vulcan Inc. three years later.

“Paul Allen’s contributions to our company, our industry and to our community are indispensable,” Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said in a statement. “As co-founder of Microsoft, in his own quiet and persistent way, he created magical products, experiences and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world.”

Allen was ranked 44th on Forbes’ 2018 list of billionaires with a $20.5 billion fortune. He helped donate to several organizations and institutions in Seattle, including universities. Allen also donated millions of dollars to causes like the Ebola virus, homelessness and gun reform.

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Allen was also the owner of two professional sports teams: the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He also had an ownership stake in the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer.

Both teams shared tributes to Allen on Twitter:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also praised Allen, saying he was the “driving force” behind the strength of the league in the Pacific Northwest.

Among the other organizations Allen started were the space travel firm Stratolaunch and the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

Here are other tributes to Allen on social media: