Gates, no longer richest, rarely flaunted wealth

Don't shed any tears for Bill Gates.
The Microsoft Corp. co-founder, for 13 years also known as the world's richest man, has dropped to No. 3 on Forbes' annual list of the world's wealthiest individuals, following his friend, investment mogul Warren Buffett, and Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helú.
While such a demotion might bother most corporate bigwigs, Gates has for years given the impression that his thirst for success is more about competitiveness and computer code, not a lust for the finer things in life.
Michael Cherry, who worked at Microsoft for 11 years before joining the independent analyst firm Directions on Microsoft eight years ago, said he remembers Gates being most passionate about achieving technological goals, such as getting a Microsoft-powered PC into every home.
"I think he was much more interested in the impact the technology had had than the money he had made from it," Cherry said.

Rick Sherlund, one of the earliest and longest-running Microsoft financial analysts, recalled running into Gates about 15 years ago at La Guardia airport, only to discover that both were taking the same flight — and both had middle seats in coach.
"He really enjoys being studious and that's where a lot of his focus is. It's not being pretentious and flashy. That's not Bill," said Sherlund, now managing director of Galleon Group in New York.
In 2006, Gates even told an online advertising conference at Microsoft's Redmond, Wash., headquarters that he actually wished he wasn't the richest man in the world.