Tributes pour in for late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen

Johnny Lieu
Updated

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's death has prompted heartfelt tributes from tech luminaries, but he's also been lauded for his work in sports and philanthropy.

Allen passed away on Monday, his family confirmed, after complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"My brother was a remarkable individual on every level. While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend," Allen's sister, Jody, said in a statement.

While Allen left Microsoft in 1983 following a protracted dispute with Bill Gates over his share of the company, Allen held onto his shares, resulting in him becoming a billionaire after the company went public three years later.

Gates said in a statement that he was "heartbroken by the passing of one my oldest and dearest friends," adding that "personal computing would not have existed without him."

Former Microsoft colleague Steve Ballmer said Allen was a "truly wonderful, bright and inspiring person," while Google CEO Sundar Pichai thanked him for his "immense contributions to the world."

Allen's wealth from his shares allowed him to invest in sports teams, as well as philanthropic projects through his own foundation.

He bought the NBA team Portland Trail Blazers in 1988, and he also purchased the Seattle Seahawks in 1997 after its former owner tried to move the NFL franchise to California. 

"Paul Allen was the driving force behind keeping the NFL in the Pacific Northwest," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

The Trail Blazers posted a tribute to Allen on Twitter, as did Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.

Allen was also admired for his talents on the guitar. Quincy Jones even told Vulture Allen could sing and play "just like Hendrix."

"Yeah, man. I went on a trip on his yacht, and he had David Crosby, Joe Walsh, Sean Lennon — all those crazy motherfuckers. Then on the last two days, Stevie Wonder came on with his band and made Paul come up and play with him — he’s good, man," Jones told the publication.