Rank on Forbes. 2005 World’s Billionaires List: 1
Net Worth: $46.5 billion
Vehicles Owned: 1999 Porsche 911 Convertible ; 1988 Porsche 959 Coupe
Source: State of Washington Department of Licensing
Microsoft founder, philanthropist and self-proclaimed “nerd” William Gates III vents his software stress behind the wheel of two Porsches. His daily driver, a 1999 Porsche 911 Convertible is ripe for replacement, especially considering that Porsche has totally redesigned the latest 911, the 997, for 2005. Now, after waiting some 10 years, Gates can finally enjoy his other favorite Porsche: a rare (1 of 230) 1988 Porsche 959 Coupe. In fact, due to the 959’s questionable emissions and unknown crash ratings, it took a federal law signed by President Clinton for Bill Gates to legally drive his 959 on American roads. Rumor has it that Bill Gates and Paul Allen employed Microsoft engineers to write a computer program that could simulate the 959’s crashworthiness, which helped in the bill’s passage
