@theargentgroup: Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, has worn many titles over the years—tech visionary, philanthropist, the world's richest man. But now, at 69, his life looks a little different. His three children have moved out and started families of their own, making him a grandpa. And after his divorce from Melinda French Gates, he's living alone. Yet despite his change in circumstances, one thing remains constant: his home. In a January interview with The Times of London, Gates made it clear that he has no plans to downsize. "My house in Seattle, I admit, is gigantic. My sisters have downsized. I can't. I like the houses I have," he said. He was referring to Xanadu 2.0, his 66,000-square-foot tech-filled mansion on the shores of Lake Washington. It's one of the most expensive and high-tech private homes in the world, and for Gates, it's not just a house—it's an investment, a passion project, and a place filled with memories. Gates bought the property in 1988 for $2 million, then spent seven years and $63 million turning it into the ultra-modern estate it is today. Now valued at an estimated $130 million, the home isn't just massive—it's built with some of the most advanced technology available. Guests wear electronic pins that adjust the lighting, temperature, and artwork on digital screens as they move through the house. Hidden speakers embedded in the walls allow music to follow visitors from room to room. A private library spans 2,100 square feet and features a domed reading room with a Great Gatsby quote engraved into the ceiling. The estate also includes six kitchens, 24 bathrooms, a trampoline room, and a 17-by-60-foot swimming pool with an underwater music system. Beneath the mansion, an underground garage can hold at least 23 cars. While Gates considers Xanadu 2.0 an achievement, not everyone in his family shared the enthusiasm. His ex-wife once described the mansion as "a bachelor's dream and a bride's nightmare." Back in a 2008 Fortune profile, she admitted that the home's overwhelming technology made her feel like she was living inside a video game. At one point during construction, she even put the project on hold due to creative differences. Melinda often spoke about wanting a simpler life, even expressing hope that one day, she and Gates could live in a modest 1,500-square-foot home. That vision never came to fruition, and in 2021, the couple ended their 27-year marriage. The mansion that once served as a home base for his family is now occupied only by Gates himself. His three children—Jennifer, 28; Rory, 25; and Phoebe, 22—have moved on, but he says they still enjoy coming back. "My kids like to come back—that is a luxury," he told The Times. Though he has household staff, Gates acknowledges that he doesn't keep up with daily chores. "I don't cook, I don't make my own bed, but I don't mind if no one has made it—I wouldn't notice." While some billionaires trade estates as often as they trade stocks, Gates sees his home differently. He spent years perfecting it, and even now, he doesn't see the point in leaving. It's not just a mansion—it's his home, and that's something he's not willing to give up. #BillGates

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Monday 10 March 2025 14:52:16 GMT