Paul Allen's American Psycho 42: The Real-Life Patrick Bateman

Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, was a complex and enigmatic figure. He was known for his brilliant mind, his ruthlessness in business, and his eccentric lifestyle. But behind the public persona, there was a darker side to Allen that few people knew about.

In the 2000 novel American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis created a character named Patrick Bateman who is a wealthy investment banker with a secret life as a serial killer. Bateman is a psychopath who is devoid of empathy and morality. He kills for pleasure, and he takes delight in the pain and suffering of others.

Some people have speculated that the character of Patrick Bateman was based on Paul Allen. There are certainly some similarities between the two men. Both Allen and Bateman were wealthy, successful businessmen. Both men were also known for their eccentric lifestyles. And both men had a dark side that they kept hidden from the public.

Of course, there are also some key differences between Allen and Bateman. Allen was never convicted of any crimes, and there is no evidence to suggest that he ever killed anyone. But the fact that some people have made the connection between Allen and Bateman is a testament to the power of the novel American Psycho. The novel has created a lasting image of a wealthy, successful businessman who is secretly a monster.

Paul Allen's Early Life

Paul Allen was born in Seattle, Washington, on January 21, 1953. His father was a librarian, and his mother was a teacher. Allen attended Lakeside School, a private school in Seattle, where he met Bill Gates. Gates and Allen became close friends, and they shared a passion for computers.

In 1973, Allen and Gates founded Microsoft. The company was initially successful, but it was not until the release of the Windows operating system in 1985 that Microsoft became a global giant. Allen left Microsoft in 1983, but he remained a major shareholder in the company.

Paul Allen's Business Career

After leaving Microsoft, Allen founded several other companies, including Vulcan Inc., a venture capital firm, and the Allen Institute for Brain Science. He also invested in a variety of other businesses, including real estate, sports teams, and media companies.

Allen was a shrewd businessman, and he amassed a fortune of over $20 billion. He was known for his willingness to take risks, and he was often involved in cutting-edge technologies.

Paul Allen's Eccentric Lifestyle

Allen was a well-known eccentric. He was a collector of art, music, and cars. He also owned a number of homes around the world, including a castle in France and a yacht named Octopus.

Allen was also known for his lavish parties. He often hosted parties at his homes and on his yacht. The parties were attended by celebrities, politicians, and business leaders from around the world.

Paul Allen's Dark Side

Behind the public persona, Allen was a complex and troubled man. He struggled with depression and anxiety, and he was known to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Allen also had a dark side that he kept hidden from the public. He was known to be ruthless in business, and he was often involved in legal disputes.

In 1985, Allen was accused of sexual harassment by a former employee. The case was settled out of court, but it damaged Allen's reputation.

Allen also had a history of violence. In 1986, he was arrested for assault after he attacked a man in a bar. The charges were later dropped.

Paul Allen's Death

Paul Allen died on October 15, 2018, at the age of 65. He had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009, and he had been battling the disease for several years.

Allen's death was a shock to the world. He was a brilliant businessman and a generous philanthropist. He was also a complex and troubled man who struggled with demons.

The Legacy of Paul Allen

Paul Allen's legacy is a mixed one. He was a brilliant businessman who helped to create one of the most successful companies in the world. He was also a generous philanthropist who donated billions of dollars to charity.

But Allen also had a dark side. He was known to be ruthless in business, and he was often involved in legal disputes. He also struggled with depression and anxiety, and he abused drugs and alcohol.

Allen's legacy is a reminder that even the most successful people can have their demons. It is also a reminder that we should not judge others too harshly. We all have our own struggles, and we all make mistakes.

What Can We Learn from Paul Allen's Life?

There are many things that we can learn from Paul Allen's life. Here are a few:

• Don't be afraid to take risks. Allen was not afraid to take risks, and this helped him to achieve great success.
• Be generous. Allen was a generous philanthropist, and he donated billions of dollars to charity.
• Forgive others. Allen was not always a perfect person, but he was able to forgive others.
• Don't judge others too harshly. We all have our own struggles, and we all make mistakes.
• Cherish the time you have. Allen died at the age of 65, and he did not have the chance to enjoy his retirement. Cherish the time you have with your loved ones.

Conclusion

Paul Allen was a complex and enigmatic figure. He was a brilliant businessman, a generous philanthropist, and a troubled man. His legacy is a mixed one, but there are many things that we can learn from his life.