On February 4, 1998, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates experienced one of the most unexpected moments of his career—not in the boardroom, but on the streets of Brussels, Belgium. As Gates arrived for a meeting with Belgian business and government officials, he was suddenly ambushed by a man wielding a cream pie, which landed squarely in his face.
The incident was orchestrated by Noël Godin, a Belgian prankster known for “pieing” celebrities and public figures as a form of public humiliation or satire. Gates, ever the professional, remained calm and composed, quickly wiping off the pie and continuing with his schedule.
The footage of the incident quickly went viral (by 1998 standards), spreading across news broadcasts and early internet forums. It became one of the most famous pie attacks in history, turning into an iconic moment that people still reference today.
Godin later claimed the stunt wasn’t personal but rather a statement against the power and wealth of major corporations. Despite the prank, Gates handled it with his usual mild-mannered demeanor, further solidifying his reputation as a cool-headed billionaire.
Now, 27 years later, the clip remains a classic internet moment, reminding us that even one of the world’s richest men isn’t immune to an unexpected pie to the face.