25 Years Ago At Microsoft

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Ellin Martens, Paruedee Nguitragool, Desa Philadelphia, Julie Rawe, Alain Sanders, Josh Tyrangiel

GEEKS' REVENGE Just 25 years ago, these folks (in a '78 photo) were undatable. Look what's become of Microsoft's original staff members--and their estimated worth (EW)

BILL GATES (1), co-founder. Now: chairman; EW: $62 billion

PAUL ALLEN (2), co-founder. Now: sports-team owner, philanthropist; EW: $21 billion

BOB GREENBERG (3), programmer. Now: makes golf software; EW: $20 million

JIM LANE (4), project manager. Now: runs own software company; EW: $20 million

GORDON LETWIN (5), programmer. Now: green philanthropist; EW: $20 million

ANDREA LEWIS (6), technical writer. Now: free-lance journalist; EW: $2 million

MARC MCDONALD (7), programmer. Now: works for software company; EW: $1 million

BOB O'REAR (8), chief mathematician. Now: cattle rancher; EW: $100 million

BOB WALLACE (9), production manager-designer. Now: psychedelic-drug advocate; EW: $5 million

STEVE AND MARLA WOOD (10), programmer and bookkeeper. Now: He runs a telecommunications company, and she volunteers. EW: $15 million

Sources: Most recent proxy statement, Microsoft; Associated Press