Bill Gates regrets leaving Harvard to become Microsoft’s first CEO: “I enjoyed the classes, including some…”

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has acknowledged feeling some regret over his decision to leave Harvard University in 1975 to become Microsoft’s first CEO, despite the immense success that followed. Reflecting on his time at the university, he expressed a sense of nostalgia for the intellectually enriching environment he had to leave behind.

In his memoir Source Code, Gates shared that he had always planned to return to Harvard to complete his degree, as he deeply valued the academic experience. Speaking to CNBC Make It, he recalled, “I enjoyed Harvard. I enjoyed the classes, including some that I just sat in on—psychology, economics, history. I loved being surrounded by smart people. We could stay up late, having fascinating discussions.”