7 Facts About Paul Allen That You May Not Know

At the age of 65, Paul Allen passed away due to diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Paul Allen was the co-founder of Microsoft and Bill Gate’s friends since high school. He was usually considered as the other giant of Microsoft.

Despite of Allen’s popularity, you probably haven’t known 8 following Facts about him.

1. He was Microsoft’s co-founder

After two years attending Washington State University, Paul dropped school to pursue programming career, just like Gates. To clarify his success, take notes that his net worth is $15.8 billion according to Forbes’ latest 400 rich list, which means he comes 26^th among the richest people across the globe.

2. He bought the Seahawks

Allen has loved a team from his hometown for years. After the team was threatened to be move to the South of California by its former owner Ken Behring, Allen bought the franchise in 1997.

Allen actually owned three teams, including the Seattle Seahawks. NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers was purchased by him in 1988 and he also owned the Seattle Sounders FC soccer team’s minority stake.

3. He gave away $1.8 billion in total

Allen is among the leading philanthropists in the world with Paul G. Allen Family Foundation which he founded. Of the innovative ideas supported by Allen, we have to mention Washington State University’s School for Global Animal Health that received $26 million from him. He also donated $300 million to Allen Institute for Brain Science expansion, $100 million for the fight against Ebola epidemic in the West of Africa. Another $100 million was given to the new Allen Institute for Cell Science foundation.

4. He had interest in aviation

Allen developed his fondness in not only sports, but also aviation. He gave money to create the first private aircraft to fly a person in sub-orbital space which is called SpaceShip-One. In 2004, the aircraft earned designer Burt Rutan and Allen the Ansari X-Prize. Also, Stratolaunch Systems is another creation from Allen which may become the biggest airplane in the world and will be used to launch satellites into an orbit in low Earth from mid-air.

5. He made music

Allen is multi-talented, who also had a band called the Underthinkers. Last summer, they debuted their first album whose name is Everywhere At Once. Along with Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders and Joe Walsh of the Eagles, he played the electric guitar. He had a film company called Vulcan Productions which won an Emmy for Rx for Survival–A Global Health Challenge. In 2011, his memoir Idea Man was published which then came among New York best sellers.

6. He funded the EMP museum

The EMP museum which he funded is another example of how Allen dedicated to history preservation. The museum exhibits artifacts of contemporary pop culture, it is located in Seattle, his beloved home city.

Allen’s Living Computer Museum, on the other hand, displays vintage computers, small cars which are restored and exhaust warm fume as in the 1960s.

7. He liked his toys

Even the greatest genius has his own fun time. He owned a super yacht which is 400 feet long, has two on-board helicopters and a submarine fit for 10 men. Allen also has an island called Mercer that includes a court for basketball and an indoor pool coming with water slide. In 2011, he used to take Lesly Stahl from 60 minutes’ on a rare tour.