Tech billionaires like Sundar Pichai, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk are usually seen as serious leaders of big companies, managing huge amounts of money and known for being extremely rich. But what do they do for fun when they're not working?
Bill Gates enjoys reading, while Elon Musk likes playing video games like Elden Ring and Diablo VI. These are some of the ways these tech giants relax in their free time.
Tech billionaires hobbies
Microsoft's Bill Gates
The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, is renowned for his passion for reading a variety of books and for his interest in travel.
He is an avid collector of rare books and cars, including purchasing a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript for $30.8 million. His 20-car garage in Washington houses luxury vehicles such as a Porsche 911 supercar. Reports indicate that he is also a keen bridge player, a game he learned from Warren Buffett. Gates has often mentioned that spending time with his family and children is a key way for him to unwind and relax. Additionally, he is known for his love of tennis and even participated in a fundraising match in 2017 with 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer as his doubles partner.
Tesla's Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the leader of Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter, is recognized for his interest in gaming. He recently discussed his enjoyment of playing Elden Ring and Diablo VI. In a podcast with Lex Fridman, Musk mentioned that playing video games helps him relax, stating, “Killing the demons in a video game calms the demons in my mind." Additionally, Walter Isaacson's biography of Musk reveals that he enjoyed performing magic tricks and hypnosis as a child. Musk is also known for his collection of memorabilia, including the Lotus Esprit car from the James Bond film ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’.
Google's Sunder Pichai
In 2017, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, met with the FC Barcelona football team, showcasing his enthusiastic support for the club. During this meeting, he also had the opportunity to meet Lionel Messi and even had a custom Barcelona jersey made for himself. Pichai's interests also extend to cricket, where he served as the captain of his high school cricket team. A report from March 2023 revealed his past aspiration to pursue a professional cricket career.
Amazon's Jeff Bezos
Bezos has a keen interest in aviation and holds a commercial pilot’s licence, which he frequently uses to fly his private jet. His hobbies also include horseback riding — there's a report of him embarking on a 50-mile ride with his father and brother. Additionally, in 2013, Bezos and his family spent nearly a month at sea recovering pieces of the engine of the Apollo 11 spacecraft. Bezos has also expressed a passion for cave exploring in interviews. Furthermore, he embarked on a space visit aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft in 2021.
Meta's Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg is recognized for his interest in mixed martial arts (MMA) and participation in extreme sports. Following the launch of Meta's Twitter rival, Threads, Zuckerberg jokingly invited Elon Musk to a charity MMA cage fight, although this remained as online banter and did not materialise into an actual event. Additionally, Zuckerberg enjoys recreational aviation and playing the guitar as hobbies.
Apple's Tim Cook
Cook's hobbies primarily revolve around physical activities, with reports mentioning rock climbing, cycling, and hiking as his pastimes. The Apple CEO has expressed a fondness for visiting National Parks, describing them as a "palate cleanser for the mind" that offers a humbling perspective on one's place in the world. Additionally, Cook has mentioned to the South China Morning Post that he is an enthusiastic reader.
OpenAI's Sam Altman
As per a report, the founder of ChatGPT has a keen interest in racing cars and piloting planes. Sam Altman has shared with two YC founders that he possesses five cars, among them two McLarens, and has a deep-seated passion for racing.
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