Gates' Club: The Departed CEOs

Well below the age of the average retiree, billionaire CEO Bill Gates gave up the reins at moneymaker Microsoft (MSFT Quote) to focus on giving away money. The Harvard dropout, 52, co-founded Microsoft in 1975 and became the face of the brand, including its widely used operating system.

Here's MainStreet's look at iconic CEOs and the corporations that made them famous:

1.Steve Case, America Online
During Tenure: In 2000, the cofounder and CEO of the No. 1 online service provider at that time helped to initiate a merger with media and publishing conglomerate Time Warner(TWX Quote). Considered a disaster by many, in 2002, the new company reported a loss of $99 billion.
After Tenure: In 2003, Steve Case was replaced by Richard Parsons, and there have been talks of spinning off AOL. The growth potential of AOL has been called into question, and in a move to expand its audience the service provider began offering free email to some.
Life After CEO: In 2005, Case was the founder of the investment firm Revolution LLC.

2. Howard Schultz, Starbucks (SBUX Quote)
After Tenure: Schultz left his role as CEO of the coffee giant in 2000. In the meantime, Starbucks continued to extend its reach beyond coffee, by increasing music, book and movie offerings.
Short-Lived Retirement: Store traffic slowed so Schultz returned to his role as CEO in 2008 and began to restructure the company by getting rid of key executives. After reporting its first annual profit decline, the coffee maker switched its focus to customer satisfaction.

3. Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart Living OmniMedia(MSO Quote)
During Tenure: Accusations of improper stock trading landed this former CEO in the hot seat, and Stewart stepped down as CEO before serving time in the penitentiary.
Life After CEO: Since her release from jail, Stewart has inked deals with Macy's(M Quote), and serves in a limited capacity at OmniMedia. The company also recently acquired chef Emeril Lagasse's media and merchandising company.

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