Michael Gates Gill

Guide Note

Author Michael Gates Gill penned How Starbucks Saved My Life, a personal memoir of his experience being laid off from his corporate advertising position and taking a job as a coffee server at Starbucks.

Fast Facts

1. Born: 1940
2. Birthplace: Bronxville, New York
3. Literary Genre: Non-Fiction
4. Debut book: How Starbucks Saved My Life
5. Father: Brandan Gill
6. Wage at Starbucks: $10.50 an hour
7. Diagnosed with a brain tumor

Michael Gates Gill grew up in a wealthy family in New York City. After dropping out of Yale University, he became a successful advertising executive at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. He ultimately lost his job at the age 63 and was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly thereafter. With no job prospects, he reluctantly took a job at the coffee chain Starbucks and wrote a book about his experiences. The result How Starbucks Saved My Life was a hit and the film rights have been optioned by Tom Hanks.

• 1998: Fired Up!: The Proven Principles of Successful Entrepreneurs
• 2007: How Starbucks Saved My Life