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In the late 1980s, as Microsoft was becoming a household name and Bill Gates’ star continued to rise, the young tech billionaire made an unusual request: he wanted a bulletproof Mercedes-Benz station wagon.
Not a limo. Not a high-powered G-Wagon. A discreet, family-friendly wagon—built like a tank.
The request came through a representative at a dealership in Bellevue, Washington, where a manager named Terry Haigh recalled that Gates didn’t want flash. He wanted safety. The wagon would be driven by the family nanny and needed to blend in—but also survive a worst-case scenario.
Mercedes-Benz’s response? A firm no.
The company cited liability concerns and flatly refused to armor a station wagon, even for one of the richest and most influential men in the country.
So Gates crossed the street… and bought a bulletproof Volvo 240 DL instead.
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It wasn’t glamorous, but it got the job done. According to the dealership manager, the armored glass made the window motors fail constantly, and technicians had to replace them multiple times. But Gates didn’t seem to mind. For him, it was about practicality—always was.
And while this might sound like an odd footnote in the life of a billionaire, it actually tracks. Gates has long had an unconventional garage.
In addition to the bulletproof Volvo, he’s owned everything from a Porsche 959 (so rare it had to be federalized with help from the Show or Display law) to a Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model X, Toyota Prius, and the occasional exotic Ferrari or McLaren. His buying habits are thoughtful, sometimes eccentric, and almost always purposeful.
There’s even a story of Gates walking into a Porsche dealership in 1989, pointing to a specific 911 Turbo convertible, handing over a business card, and walking out without another word. He got the car.
But he didn’t get the Mercedes.
And that small moment says a lot. Sometimes, even billionaires get told no. And sometimes, the car that quietly does the job—without fanfare or flash—is the one worth driving.
True Story. Stranger Than Fiction.
Disclaimer:
This story is based on accounts shared by former dealership personnel and has been referenced in multiple media reports over the years. While it reflects a widely circulated anecdote, it has not been independently verified by Bill Gates or Mercedes-Benz. The content is intended for entertainment and educational purposes and should not be interpreted as a confirmed or official statement from any parties mentioned.
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