Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with his childhood friend Bill Gates before becoming a billionaire philanthropist has died at the age of 65.

He died in Seattle from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In a statement, Mr Gates says he is heartbroken about the loss of one of his “oldest and dearest friends.”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called Allen’s contributions to the company, community and industry “indispensable.”

Statement from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the passing of Paul Allen: pic.twitter.com/1iLDLenLKz

— Microsoft (@Microsoft) October 15, 2018

Allen was also deeply fond of marine life and preservation and eventually came to fund programs at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Chief Executive Dr Paul Hardisty tells Ross Greenwood “it’s been a long collaboration”.

“Hopefully his legacy will live on in these kinds of projects.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Twitter