Tech visionary Bill Gates made a special appearance at the Rancho Mirage

RANCHO MIRAGE – Tech visionary Bill Gates made a special appearance at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory, closing out the 2025 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival with a discussion about his new memoir, Source Code.

Moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, the conversation provided a rare glimpse into Gates’ early life, long before he revolutionized technology with Microsoft. “This book is about his life prior to Microsoft,” Goodwin noted. “It talks about his childhood, his growing up, and his hopes for the future.”

Gates also discussed his ongoing work in clean energy and climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

The event marked a fitting finale to the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, which brought together influential authors, thought leaders, and literary enthusiasts.

For those who missed the discussion, the full conversation is available on the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory’s YouTube page.