Netflix: Is Bill Gates’ Diet Coke addiction real or product placement?

One of the biggest takeaways for audiences has been Bill Gates' thirst for Diet Coke.

"I think left to his own devices he might have stayed in his room and read books all day long."

How many of us can relate to this? The rest, perhaps not so relateable - his life is one-of-a-kind. Microsoft legend Bill Gates is the second richest person in the world - behind Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - and many have long been fascinated with his genius mind. 

Although most know of the American business magnate, beyond his work, the inspirational figure may remain mysterious. However, Netflix recently released a three-part documentary series called Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates. It's a great doc from Davis Guggenheim, which sheds much light on Bill's journey. 

His life is anything but ordinary but across the episodes, we learn that he has a fondness for burgers no matter who he's dining with. Then, there's the apple of his eye, Diet Coke. 

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Bill Gates attends the Telluride Film Festival 2019 on August 31, 2019 in Telluride, Colorado.

Fans on Twitter go pop

So many viewers have noticed the insane amounts of Diet Coke cans littered around during conversations. 

He certainly appears to love the iconic beverage, but a number of people have decided to express doubt about the reason behind its seemingly constant presence. One Twitter user wrote: "Was the numerous camera shots of @DietCoke a product placement deal or do you really during that much diet coke?"

Another added: "Is this Bill Gates series an advertisement for Diet Coke." Similarly, one pondered: "Does Bill Gates actually drink THAT much Diet Coke? Or has he been paid butt loads to do product placement?" There is some scepticism about whether those involved were paid to have the drink feature so frequently. After all, who wouldn't want a genius like Bill Gates promoting their product?

However, it's also caused some fans of his to worry a little. One viewer wrote: "I’m watching the Bill Gates doc on @netflix and all I can think about is how he should really stop drinking diet coke."

Again, an admirer admitted that they feel he should cut down: "Just watched #InsideBillsBrain, incredibly inspiring. Bill Gates is a machine, 14 books on vacation, 150 pages per hours, 90% retention… his CPU is fuelled by way too much @DietCoke. Please take care @BillGates."

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Bill Gates and Diet Coke

It's understandable that people are surprised by the amount of Diet Coke present throughout the documentary, but his love for it does date back. 

Back in 2016, The Telegraph ran a piece on him, with Joe Cerrell of the Gates Foundation revealing some of Bill's habits. Among travel rituals and what have you, they got on to talking about his diet, which is where it was revealed that it's “cheeseburgers for lunch, no matter who you are". 

However, it makes sense now that even back then “hotel rooms full of Diet Coke” were mentioned as a sort of odd requirement. If you haven't seen much of the billionaire beyond he doc, it may have come as a shock, but in interviews and clips from the past, Diet Coke has been somewhat of a recurring comfort. 

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Over to the blog

In a 2014 blog post, Bill wrote: "Once I’m at the office, I usually open a can of Diet Coke. Over the course of the day I might drink three or four. All those cans also add up to something like 35 pounds of aluminum a year."

So, even half a decade ago he had eyes for the drink, but after watching Inside Bill's Brain it looks like his passion for pop has intensified somewhat. 

Then again, when you're busy at work and drinking three or four cans a day, there's pretty much gonna be a can on show at all times. We gather he's not a Coke Zero guy...

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