Paul Allen of Microsoft dies: he changed Seattle and the world

SEATTLE, WA – Paul Allen died Monday in Seattle at the age of 65, and the billionaire, Microsoft's co-founder and science fiction geek, leaves behind a remarkable legacy – about the city he's called home and in the world. Allen died of a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an illness that he had already beaten twice before, but that has not slowed down his innumerable adventures, owning NFL and NBA teams to a mega-yacht.

During his 65 years, Allen led an incredible life helping to popularize personal computers and pushing the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. He died as one of the richest men in the world, worth about $ 20 billion, but was also a generous philanthropist, funding arts and cultural programs and the scientific research, among other causes.

Born in Seattle in 1953, Allen's parents worked at the University of Washington Library. Allen attended the prestigious Lakeside School, where he met Bill Gates. While they were at Lakeside, they were fascinated by computer programming, which would inspire their founding of Microsoft.

After high school, Allen briefly attended Washington State University before leaving work for Honeywell near Boston. At the time, Gates attended Harvard. Allen convinced his friend to leave Harvard to start Microsoft in 1975.

Microsoft Allen and Gates brought personal computers to the world. They founded the company in Albuquerque, but then moved to Bellevue.

"The personal computer would not have existed without him," Gates said Monday, adding that he was heartbroken by the loss of his old friend.

"Mastering the nascent technology of mainframe computers, he has led a revolution, and his success has made him a member of the elite visionary club who have truly changed the world all the time," King County Chief Executive said Monday. , Constantine, in a statement.

Of an estimated value of $ 20.3 billion, Allen worked at Microsoft for less than ten years. He left after eight years because he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. A non-Hodgkin lymphoma was diagnosed in 2009, and the disease returned last month, according to Vulcan.

In the Seattle area, Allen has been closely associated with sports and real estate. Allen Vulcan Real Estate has built more than 10 million square feet of residential and office buildings, including the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace in Seattle. Allen is also involved in redeveloping South Lake Union into a hub for technology companies, including Amazon.

But most people know him as the man who helped rebuild the Seattle Seahawks in trouble, helping the team win the Super Bowl.

"Big dogs easily rest when you get home," wrote on Twitter the ex-half-withdrawal of the Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch.

Allen was a big fan of science fiction and rock. He created the MoPOP Museum, which contains artifacts from rock music, like one of Kurt Cobain's broken guitars. Allen has renovated the Seattle Cinerama, one of the few theaters in the world to present 70-mm films and three films. The lobby is replete with elements of Allen's personal science-fiction memorabilia collection, including uniforms of "Star Trek" and "Blade Runner."

"He brought us a Super Bowl Championship, a reverence for Jimi Hendrix and a vision for Seattle that today houses some of the most innovative biotechnology research in the world and was the cradle of the city's economic boom." Governor Jay Inslee said a statement Monday.

Even with so many achievements, the rumor was that Allen was happiest when he played the electric guitar. Those of Quincy Jones said that Allen "sings and plays exactly like Hendrix."

He plays here a solo on "Hear My Train A Comin" from Jimi Hendrix in 2012 to MoPOP.

Allen's sister, Jody, remembered her brother as an eternally busy person – but who always spent time for his family.

My brother was a remarkable person at all levels. While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, he was a beloved brother and uncle and a great friend to us.

Paul's family and friends had the chance to experience his spirit, warmth, generosity and deep concern. Despite all the demands of her schedule, there was always time for her family and friends. In this time of loss and sorrow for us – and so many others – we are deeply grateful for the care and concern he has shown every day. "

Photo via Getty Images