Sheesh, enough about Paul friggin’ Allen already, am I right?

How about a list of five things you might not know about him, other than his hankering for building planes and finding sunken warships? Go on then, I’ll do the honours.

The following comes courtesy of Forbes, who rank Allen as 51st on their richest list.

1. Allen is a college drop-out, just like that other Microsoft man Bill Gates:

He attended Washington State University for two years before leaving to become a programmer.

2. He likes to snap up a sports team or three:

The Seattle Seahawks are one of three teams under Allen’s ownership. He purchased the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers in 1988 and owns a minority stake in the Seattle Sounders FC soccer team.

3. He can rock-and-roll with the best of them:

The Microsoft billionaire plays a mean electric guitar, with accompaniment from friends like Joe Walsh of the Eagles and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

4. He has a rather charitable heart:

Allen was one of the first billionaires to join friends Bill Gates and Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge back in 2010. His philanthropy to date totals more than $1.5 billion; he’s vowed to leave the majority of his estate to charitable deeds.

5. He doesn’t mind spending a dollar here and there on some man-toys:

His 400 foot super-yacht, the Octopus, must be seen toe be believed (ditto its two on-board helicopters and 10-man submarine). Allen’s Mercer Island, Wash. home is also a playground, and includes a basketball court and indoor pool with waterslide.

Our own Seth was lucky enough to come across the Octopus during one of his yearly jaunts in the south of France (HERE). We all secretly hope Seth too will invest in a superyacht for those pesky 42 degree days…subtle hints.

You can read more little-known facts about Allen HERE.

You could get the ball rolling on your own superyacht by buying a EuroMillions ticket for tomorrow’s lottery – just the R1,3 billion up for offer.

[source:forbes]