Suspicious: Bill Gates and Newspaper Vendor
The Claim
When asked if there is anyone in the world richer than him, Bill Gates told a story about a newspaper vendor who helped him when he was impoverished. The story says that the vendor gave Gates the newspaper twice for free when he could not afford it. Gates later said that the vendor is the only person in the world richer than him.
News posted on
Emerging story
A few social media accounts on Facebook circulated a story that has been viewed and shared by thousands. They claim that Bill Gates was asked, “Is there a person richer than you in the world?” when he was the richest man in the world. Bill Gates told the story that he was in New York’s Airport after he graduated, where he wanted to buy a newspaper but he didn’t find enough change in his pocket. The newspaper vendor insisted he takes on for free.
Surprisingly, three months later, Gates landed at the same airport and he was also short in change for a newspaper. The newspaper vendor insisted again and gave him a copy for free.
After 19 years, when the owner of Microsoft became the richest man in the world, he decided to search for the newspaper vendor to reciprocate him. Gates found the vendor and they met in his office after a month and a half of searching.
“Do you know me?” Bill Gates asked. “Yes, you are Bill Gates.” The vendor answered.
Gates told the vendor he wanted to compensate him, but the vendor refused telling Gates, “You can’t make it up for me.”
Gates was shocked by the man’s answer and asked why he can’t compensate him.
The man replied, "I helped you when we were both poor. I was a poor newspaper vendor and you are trying to help me now when you became the richest man in the world. How can that be fair?’
Bill Gates concluded the story saying, "I never felt that there is anyone richer than me on this world except that vendor.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation did not find any interview with Bill Gates telling the story. The story was not published by well-known or credible media sources. It was only spread among social media users, blogs, and some websites.
