:Melinda French Gates

{{Infobox person

| name = Melinda French Gates

| image = Melinda Gates 2014.jpg

| caption = French Gates in 2014

| birth_name = Melinda Ann French

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1964|08|15}}

| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.

| education = Duke University (BA, MBA)

| party = Democratic

| occupation = {{plainlist|

Co-founder and former co-chair at the Gates Foundation
Founder at Pivotal Ventures

}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Bill Gates|January 1, 1994|August 2, 2021|reason=divorce}}{{cite web |last1=Novet |first1=Jordan |title=Bill and Melinda French Gates are officially divorced following 27-year marriage |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/02/bill-and-melinda-french-gates-are-officially-divorced.html |publisher=CNBC |access-date=August 3, 2021 |language=en |date=August 2, 2021 |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803003913/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/02/bill-and-melinda-french-gates-are-officially-divorced.html |url-status=live }}

| children = 3

| website = {{Official website|https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/General-Information/Leadership/Executive-Leadership-Team/Melinda-Gates |name= Gates Co-Founder Profile}}; {{Official website|https://www.pivotalventures.org/founder |name= Pivotal Founder Profile}}

| awards = {{plainlist|

Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)

}}

Melinda French Gates{{cite web |author1=King County Superior Court Clerk |title=Gates Petition for Divorce |url=https://dam.tmz.com/document/96/o/2021/05/03/9614c3c36f7c48d6aab9ec0c7e7f8932.pdf |publisher=TMZ |agency=The Washington Post |access-date=June 6, 2021 |date=May 3, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512172812/https://dam.tmz.com/document/96/o/2021/05/03/9614c3c36f7c48d6aab9ec0c7e7f8932.pdf |url-status=live }} (born Melinda Ann French; August 15, 1964) is an American philanthropist. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, she attended Duke University, from which she received a degree in computer science and economics as well as an MBA. Shortly after joining Microsoft in 1987 as a multimedia product developer, she began dating the company's co-founder and then-CEO Bill Gates. She and Gates married in 1994 and have three children together.

In 2000, the couple jointly founded and co-chaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest private charitable organization.{{Cite news |last=Mathiesen |first=Karl |date=March 16, 2015 |title=What is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/16/what-is-the-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation |access-date=February 25, 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425035020/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/16/what-is-the-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation |url-status=live }} For their philanthropic endeavors, which focused on global health, development, and education, the couple received numerous awards and honors, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honour.

Following the couple's 2021 divorce, French Gates resigned in 2024 as co-chair of the foundation, which was subsequently renamed the Gates Foundation, with Bill Gates as its sole chair.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-13 |title=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to change name |url=https://www.newsweek.com/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-name-change-departure-1900019 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} As part of her settlement, she received $12.5 billion for her own independent charitable work, which she has stated will focus on women and families.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=David |date=2024-05-13 |title=Melinda French Gates is resigning from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/13/investing/melinda-gates-resigns-foundation/index.html |access-date=2024-09-04 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Malik |first1=Yuvraj |last2=Soni |first2=Aditya |date=14 May 2024 |title=Melinda Gates to exit Gates Foundation with $12.5 billion for own charity work |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/melinda-gates-step-down-co-chair-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-2024-05-13/ |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Reuters}} She has since become a prominent megadonor to the Democratic Party, with a focus on abortion rights. She endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election.{{Cite news |last=Schleifer |first=Theodore |date=2024-10-06 |title=Melinda French Gates's New Life: Abortion Politics and Kamala Harris |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/06/us/politics/melinda-french-gates-abortion-politics-kamala-harris.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Forbes magazine has consistently ranked French Gates as one of the world's most powerful women.{{Cite web |title=Power Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/power-women/#3d5d9f225a95 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319123118/https://www.forbes.com/lists/power-women/#3d5d9f225a95 |archive-date=March 19, 2019 |access-date=March 13, 2019 |work=Forbes}} She was recognized as one of the BBC's 100 women of 2021.{{Cite news |date=December 7, 2021 |title=BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year? |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59514598 |access-date=December 16, 2022}} As of May 2025, her net worth is estimated at US$30.4 billion, according to Forbes.{{cite web | title=Melinda French Gates | website=Forbes | date=2025-05-05 | url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/melinda-french-gates/ | access-date=2025-05-06}}

Early life and education

Melinda Ann French was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas.{{cite news|date=October 23, 2011|title=Office romance: how Bill met Melinda|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/office-romance-how-bill-met-melinda-855292.html|work=The Independent|language=en|access-date=May 24, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524221717/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/office-romance-how-bill-met-melinda-855292.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2018 |title=Melinda Gates biography |url=https://www.biography.com/people/melinda-gates-507408 |access-date=May 24, 2021 |website=biography.com |publisher=A&E Television Networks |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327161235/https://www.biography.com/people/melinda-gates-507408 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Paul |date=November 25, 2006 |title=A woman of substance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/nov/26/theobserver |access-date=May 24, 2021 |website=The Guardian |quote=Melinda Ann French was born in Dallas on 15 August 1964. |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807233846/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/nov/26/theobserver |url-status=live }} She is the second of four children born to Raymond Joseph French Jr., an aerospace engineer, and Elaine Agnes Amerland, a homemaker. She has an older sister and two younger brothers.{{cite web |url-status=live |url=https://money.cnn.com/2008/01/04/news/newsmakers/gates.fortune/index2.htm |title=Melinda Gates goes public |pp=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501013308/http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/04/news/newsmakers/gates.fortune/index2.htm |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |date= January 7, 2008 |first1=Patricia |last1=Sellers |website=CNN Money }}

French Gates, a Catholic, attended St. Monica Catholic School, where she was the valedictorian of her class.{{Cite book |last=Jeanne M. Lesinski |url=https://archive.org/details/billgatesentrepr0000lesi |title=Bill Gates: Entrepreneur and Philanthropist |publisher=Twenty First Century Books |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-58013-570-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/billgatesentrepr0000lesi/page/61 61] |quote=Melinda, a devout Catholic, wanted a religious wedding |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-access=registration}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vo2ZAAAAIAAJ&q=Melinda+Gates+roman+catholic |title=Business Week, Issues 3649–3652 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |year=1999 |quote=Raised a Roman Catholic and educated at a girls' Catholic high school, Ursaline Academy in Dallas, Melinda was encouraged to pursue her love of science |access-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183838/https://books.google.com/books?id=vo2ZAAAAIAAJ&q=Melinda+Gates+roman+catholic |url-status=live }} At age 14, French Gates was introduced to the Apple II by her father and Mrs. Bauer, a school teacher who advocated teaching computer science at the all-girls school.{{Cite book|last=Gates|first=Melinda |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1097579369|title=The Moment of Lift : How Empowering Women Changes the World|date=2021|publisher=Flatiron Books |isbn=978-1-250-25772-7|oclc=1097579369|access-date=March 12, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183839/https://www.worldcat.org/title/moment-of-lift-how-empowering-women-changes-the-world/oclc/1097579369|url-status=live}} It was from this experience she developed her interest in computer games and the BASIC programming language.{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2008 |title=Office romance: how Bill met Melinda |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/office-romance-how-bill-met-melinda-855292.html |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929034825/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/office-romance-how-bill-met-melinda-855292.html |url-status=live }}

French Gates graduated as valedictorian from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 1982.{{Cite web |title=Ursuline Receives Additional $2 Million Grant; Science, Math, Technology Building Task Force is Formed |url=https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2007/05/Ursuline-Receives-Additional-2-Million-Grant-Science-Math-Technology-Building-Task-Force-is-Formed |access-date=September 22, 2017 |website=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |archive-date=September 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923003303/https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2007/05/Ursuline-Receives-Additional-2-Million-Grant-Science-Math-Technology-Building-Task-Force-is-Formed |url-status=live }} She earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987.{{Cite book |last1=Mary Zeiss Stange |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_BTKCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT386 |title=The Multimedia Encyclopedia of Women in Today's World |last2=Carol K. Oyster |last3=Jane E. Sloan |date=January 9, 2013 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-4522-7037-1 |pages=386– |access-date=March 24, 2018 |archive-date=September 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912144343/https://books.google.com/books?id=_BTKCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT386 |url-status=live }} At Duke, French Gates was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Beta Rho Chapter.{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2017 |title=The incredible life of Melinda Gates — one of the world's richest and most powerful women |url=https://www.businessinsider.nl/life-of-melinda-gates-2016-3/ |access-date=March 24, 2018 |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325045442/https://www.businessinsider.nl/life-of-melinda-gates-2016-3/ |url-status=live }}

Career

File:Melinda Gates - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2011.jpg

= Early career and Microsoft =

French Gates's first job was tutoring children in mathematics and computer programming.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Fast Company |date=January 9, 2017 |title=How Melinda Gates Is Diversifying Tech |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3066355/how-melinda-gates-is-diversifying-tech |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218082919/https://www.fastcompany.com/3066355/how-melinda-gates-is-diversifying-tech |url-status=live }} After graduation, she became a marketing manager with Microsoft, being responsible for the development of multimedia products.{{Cite book |last=Small|first=Cathleen|title=Melinda Gates : Philanthropist and Education Advocate. |date=2017 |publisher=Cavendish Square Publishing LLC |isbn=978-1-5026-2708-7 |location=New York, NY |oclc=1039680502}} These included Cinemania, Encarta, Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Money, Works (Macintosh) and Word.{{Cite news |year=2008 |title=Office Romance: How Bill met Melinda |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/office-romance-how-bill-met-melinda-855292.html |access-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-date=September 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929034825/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/office-romance-how-bill-met-melinda-855292.html |url-status=live }} She worked on Expedia, which became one of the most popular travel booking websites. In the early 1990s, French Gates was appointed as General Manager of Information Products, a position which she held until 1996.{{Cite book |last=Honders |first=Christine |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/921141343 |title=Melinda Gates |date=July 15, 2016 |isbn=978-1-5081-4832-6 |location=New York |publisher=PowerKids Press |page=8 |oclc=921141343 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183850/https://www.worldcat.org/title/melinda-gates/oclc/921141343 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Melinda Gates |url=https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/General-Information/Leadership/Executive-Leadership-Team/Melinda-Gates |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=gatesfoundation.org |publisher=Gates Foundation |archive-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315035110/https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/General-Information/Leadership/Executive-Leadership-Team/Melinda-Gates |url-status=live }} She left Microsoft that year, reportedly, to focus on starting a family.

= Corporate directorship =

French Gates served as a member of Duke University's board of trustees from 1996 to 2003.[http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/extaff/news/publications/winter96/board.htm Gates Joins Trustees] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120802153624/http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/extaff/news/publications/winter96/board.htm|date=August 2, 2012}}, Fuqua.duke.edu; retrieved June 29, 2013. She attends the annual Bilderberg Group conference and has held a seat on the board of directors of Graham Holdings (formerly The Washington Post Company) since 2004.{{Cite web |title=Melinda French Gates Elected a Director of The Washington Post Company |url=http://www.ghco.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melinda-french-gates-elected-director-washington-post-company |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803212113/http://www.ghco.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melinda-french-gates-elected-director-washington-post-company |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2019 |website=Graham Holdings Company |language=en}} She was also on the board of directors at Drugstore.com but left in August 2006 to focus on philanthropic projects.{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=Officers and Directors |url=http://investor.shareholder.com/drugstore/management.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207063601/http://investor.shareholder.com/drugstore/management.cfm |archive-date=February 7, 2006 |access-date=February 14, 2008 |publisher=Drugstore.com}}

= Philanthropy =

Since 2000, French Gates has been in the public eye, stating "As I thought about strong women of history, I realized that they stepped out in some way." This has allowed her work shaping and advancing the goals of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to be publicly recognized. By 2022, Bill and Melinda had given US$59.1 billion of their personal wealth to the foundation.{{cite web |title=Foundation Fact Sheet |url=https://www.gatesfoundation.org/who-we-are/general-information/foundation-factsheet |website=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |language=en}} On May 13, 2024, French Gates resigned as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to be effective June 7.{{cite web | title=Melinda French Gates says she is resigning from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | website=KOMO | date=May 13, 2024 | url=https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/melinda-french-gates-says-she-is-resigning-from-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation-microsoft-billionaires-nonprofit-organization-charity-charitable-support-one-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-women | access-date=May 13, 2024}}{{cite web |title= Melinda French Gates is resigning from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |first=David |last=Goldman |work=CNN |date=May 13, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |url= https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/investing/melinda-gates-resigns-foundation/index.html}} The foundation was subsequently renamed the Gates Foundation, with Bill Gates as its sole chair.

In 2015, French Gates founded Pivotal Ventures as a separate, independent organization to identify and implement innovative solutions to problems affecting U.S. women and families.[https://www.pivotalventures.org/#who-we-are Pivotal Ventures-Who we are] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418005744/https://www.pivotalventures.org/#who-we-are|date=April 18, 2020}}, pivotalventures.org; retrieved April 17, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Todd |date=2015-08-12 |title=Melinda Gates creates 'Pivotal Ventures' to pursue outside projects, focusing on women's issues |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/melinda-gates-creates-pivotal-ventures-to-pursue-outside-projects-focusing-on-womens-issues/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=GeekWire |language=en-US}} In partnership with Lever for Change, an affiliate of the MacArthur Foundation French Gates announced a 2024-25 grant competition called Action for Women's Health, which aims to provide $250 million in grants to fund women's health initiatives.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=Melinda French Gates will give $250M to women's health groups globally through a new open call |url=https://apnews.com/article/melinda-french-gates-open-call-lever-for-change-global-womens-health-9b76dccb34b3500ebff3d7bfdf07f2b7 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=AP News |language=en}}

=Writing=

In 2019, French Gates debuted as an author with the book The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World. Former president Barack Obama starred in a comedy sketch to promote it.{{Cite web |last=Darrisaw |first=Michelle |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Barack Obama Is the Ultimate Funny Guy in a Video Made for Melinda Gates |url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a27434548/melinda-gates-moment-of-lift-book-tour-barack-obama/ |website=Oprah Magazine |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513051621/https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a27434548/melinda-gates-moment-of-lift-book-tour-barack-obama/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Melinda Gates draws huge crowd for hometown finale of 'Moment of Lift' tour, with surprise intro |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/melinda-gates-draws-huge-crowd-hometown-finale-moment-lift-tour-surprise-intro/ |website=GeekWire |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510204458/https://www.geekwire.com/2019/melinda-gates-draws-huge-crowd-hometown-finale-moment-lift-tour-surprise-intro/ |url-status=live }} The book highlights the failure to acknowledge women's unpaid work, drawing on feminist economist Dame Marilyn Waring's book If Women Counted.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2019 |title=Book excerpt: Melinda Gates' 'The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/book-excerpt-melinda-gates-moment-lift-empowering-women/story?id=62573695 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |website=ABC News |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420192339/https://abcnews.go.com/US/book-excerpt-melinda-gates-moment-lift-empowering-women/story?id=62573695 |url-status=live }} In 2025, she published the book The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward.

Personal life

File:Bill og Melinda Gates 2009-06-03 (bilde 01).JPG, in 2009]]

Melinda began dating Microsoft CEO Bill Gates in 1987, after meeting him at a trade fair in New York.{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2004 |title=Profile: Bill Gates |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3428721.stm |access-date=April 27, 2007 |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3428721.stm |url-status=live }} In 1994, she married Gates in a private ceremony held in Lanai, Hawaii. They have three children.{{cite web | last1=Nguyen | first1=Britney | last2=Akhtar | first2=Allana | title=Meet Bill Gates' daughter Jennifer, an elite equestrian who stands to inherit 'a minuscule portion' of her father's $109 billion fortune | website=Business Insider | date=9 April 2023 | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-founder-bill-gates-daughter-jennifer-gates-life | access-date=23 January 2025}} The family maintained a home in an earth-sheltered mansion overlooking Lake Washington in Medina, Washington.{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2016 |title=Peek inside Bill Gates' $124 million mansion Xanadu 2.0 – Take a look at Bill Gates' new house |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nation-world/peek-inside-bill-gates-124-million-mansion-xanadu-2-0/pool-with-underwater-music-system/slideshow/56019673.cms |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=The Economic Times |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007214016/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nation-world/peek-inside-bill-gates-124-million-mansion-xanadu-2-0/pool-with-underwater-music-system/slideshow/56019673.cms |url-status=live }} The family also owned an oceanfront residence in Del Mar, California.{{Cite web |last=Vasishta |first=Jeff |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Bill and Melinda Gates Pick Up Del Mar Oceanfront Mansion |url=https://variety.com/2020/dirt/moguls/bill-and-melinda-gates-pick-up-del-mar-oceanfront-mansion-1234590980/ |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813202419/https://variety.com/2020/dirt/moguls/bill-and-melinda-gates-pick-up-del-mar-oceanfront-mansion-1234590980/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Molnar |first=Phillip |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Report: Bill and Melinda Gates buy a $43-million Del Mar home |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-04-24/report-bill-and-melinda-gates-buy-43million-del-mar-home |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007214045/https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-04-24/report-bill-and-melinda-gates-buy-43million-del-mar-home |url-status=live }}

In May 2021, after 27 years of marriage, Bill and Melinda Gates announced their decision to divorce.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/ncna1266179|title=Bill and Melinda Gates are getting divorced, future of foundation in question|work=NBC News|date=May 3, 2021|publisher=NBC Universal|last=Stelloh|first=Tim|access-date=May 3, 2021|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503210027/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/ncna1266179|url-status=live}} According to The Wall Street Journal, Melinda had been meeting with divorce lawyers since at least October 2019, after Bill's business dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public.{{cite news |last1=Cartwright |first1=Lachlan |last2=Briquelet |first2=Kate |title=Melinda Gates Warned Bill About Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/melinda-gates-warned-bill-gates-about-jeffrey-epstein |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=The Daily Beast |date=May 7, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511000824/https://www.thedailybeast.com/melinda-gates-warned-bill-gates-about-jeffrey-epstein |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Glazer |first1=Emily |last2=Safdar |first2=Khadeeja |title=Melinda Gates Was Meeting With Divorce Lawyers Since 2019 to End Marriage With Bill Gates |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/melinda-gates-was-meeting-with-divorce-lawyers-since-2019-to-end-marriage-with-bill-gates-11620579924 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511000852/https://www.wsj.com/articles/melinda-gates-was-meeting-with-divorce-lawyers-since-2019-to-end-marriage-with-bill-gates-11620579924 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Pengelly |first1=Martin |last2=Neate |first2=Rupert |title=Melinda Gates began divorce moves at time Bill's meetings with Jeffrey Epstein revealed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/10/melinda-bill-gates-divorce-jeffrey-epstein-meetings |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=May 10, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511000431/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/10/melinda-bill-gates-divorce-jeffrey-epstein-meetings |url-status=live }} Although the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement, Melinda (who filed) did not request spousal support. She was allocated over $2 billion worth of shares and stocks from the divorce,{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/05/07/melinda-gates-billionaire-after-stock-transfer-bill-gates/4986298001/|title=After a stock transfer from Bill Gates, Melinda Gates is a billionaire|work=USA Today|date=May 7, 2021|last=Miranda|first=Gabriela|publisher=Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC|access-date=June 8, 2021|archive-date=May 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530171821/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/05/07/melinda-gates-billionaire-after-stock-transfer-bill-gates/4986298001/|url-status=live}} although the full details of the financial settlement have not been disclosed. The divorce was finalized on August 2, 2021. She has publicly used the name Melinda French Gates, since the couple separated.{{Cite web |last=Kulish |first=Nicholas |date=2 August 2021 |title=Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates finalize their divorce |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/business/bill-gates-divorce-melinda-french.html |access-date=4 September 2024 |website=The New York Times}}

In October 2021, Melinda and Bill both attended the wedding of their eldest daughter Jennifer to the Olympic equestrian Nayel Nassar.{{Cite web |last=Ritschel |first=Chelsea |date=2021-10-17 |title=Jennifer Gates marries Nayel Nassar in ceremony attended by parents |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jennifer-gates-nayel-nassar-wedding-b1939863.html |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=The Independent |language=en}} In March 2022, Melinda said that she and Bill were "friendly" but not "friends".{{cite web|title=Melinda French Gates says she is 'friendly' but not friends with Bill Gates|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/03/melinda-french-gates-friendly-bill-gates|access-date=March 3, 2022|last1=Yang|first1=Maya|work=The Guardian|date=March 3, 2022|language=en}} In November 2022, she was reported to be dating former Fox News correspondent Jon Du Pre. In April 2024, a spokesperson quashed rumors that French Gates and Du Pre had become engaged, confirming that the two were no longer dating.{{Cite web |last1=Hatcher |first1=Kirsty |last2=Pasquini |first2=Maria |date=22 April 2024 |title=Melinda French Gates Is Not Engaged to Jon Du Pre Despite Ring as Rep Confirms They're 'No Longer Dating' |url=https://people.com/melinda-french-gates-not-engaged-jon-du-pre-no-longer-dating-rep-8636757 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=People |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Colon |first=Beatriz |date=2024-04-22 |title=Bill Gates' ex Melinda French Gates breaks silence on engagement after sighting with huge diamond ring |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/518095/bill-gates-ex-melinda-french-breaks-silence-engagement-diamond-ring/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=HELLO! |language=en}} French Gates became a grandmother for the first time in March 2023, when Jennifer gave birth to a daughter.{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=2023-04-08 |title=Bill Gates and ex-wife Melinda French Gates reveal sweet photos of their first grandchild |url=https://www.today.com/parents/celebrity/bill-gates-melinda-french-gates-grandchild-rcna78780 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}

After the divorce, the now independently wealthy French Gates has become a prominent megadonor to the Democratic Party, with a focus on abortion rights. In the lead-up to the 2024 US presidential election, she donated over $10 million to Democratic causes.{{Cite news |last=Schleifer |first=Theodore |date=2024-10-06 |title=Melinda French Gates's New Life: Abortion Politics and Kamala Harris |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/06/us/politics/melinda-french-gates-abortion-politics-kamala-harris.html |work=The New York Times}} In that election, she endorsed Joe Biden and then, after he stepped aside, Kamala Harris, her first presidential endorsements.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Abby |date=2020-08-12 |title=Melinda Gates 'still discussing' if she and Bill Gates will endorse a presidential candidate |url=https://19thnews.org/2020/08/melinda-gates-still-discussing-if-she-and-bill-gates-will-endorse-a-presidential-candidate/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=The 19th |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-23 |title=Melinda French Gates endorses Kamala Harris for president |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/melinda-french-gates-endorses-kamala-harris-for-president/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}

French Gates is a practicing Catholic.

Awards and recognition

In 1998, Melinda and Bill Gates were each honored with an American Library Association Honorary Membership. In 2002, Melinda and Bill Gates received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, an award given out, annually, by Jefferson Awards.[http://www.jeffersonawards.org/pastwinners/national Jefferson Awards website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124043935/http://jeffersonawards.org/pastwinners/national |date=November 24, 2010 }}, jeffersonawards.org; accessed April 23, 2016. In December 2005, Melinda and Bill were named, by Time, as Persons of the Year, alongside Bono.{{Cite magazine |title=Persons of the Year 2005 – TIME |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2016788,00.html?xid=fblike |access-date=April 21, 2020 |magazine=Time |language=en-us }}{{cite magazine | title=Persons of the Year: The Good Samaritans | magazine=Time | date=December 26, 2005 | url=https://time.com/vault/issue/2005-12-26/page/1/ | access-date=December 24, 2022}} Melinda and Bill Gates received the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation on May 4, 2006, in recognition of their world impact through charitable giving.[http://www.fpa.es/en/prince-of-asturias-awards/international-cooperation "2012 Laureates – Prince of Asturias Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623043219/http://www.fpa.es/en/prince-of-asturias-awards/international-cooperation |date=June 23, 2013 }}, fpa.es; retrieved June 2, 2013. In November 2006, French Gates was awarded the Insignia of the Order of the Aztec Eagle, together, with Bill, who was awarded the Placard of the same order, both for their philanthropic work around the world in the areas of health and education, particularly in Mexico, and specifically in the program "Un país de lectores".{{Cite web |title=Talk about us: Melinda Gates |url=https://www.coachabilityfoundation.org/single-post/Melinda-Gates |access-date=March 14, 2019 |website=Empowering Entrepreneurs Women {{!}} Coachability Foundation |language=es }}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

File:Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation front.JPG in Seattle]]

In May 2006, in honor of her work to improve the lives of children locally and around the world, Seattle Children's Hospital dedicated the Melinda French Gates Ambulatory Care building{{Cite web |title=Seattle Children's History |url=https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about/history/ |access-date=April 21, 2020 |website=Seattle Children's Hospital |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715230933/https://www.seattlechildrens.org/about/history/ |url-status=live }} at Seattle Children's (formerly Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center).[https://web.archive.org/web/20100616134718/http://seattlechildrens.org/about/history/name-history/ How Our Name Evolved], Seattlechildrens.org; retrieved June 29, 2013. She chaired a campaign for the hospital to fundraise $300 million to expand facilities, fund under-compensated and uncompensated care, and grow the hospital's research program to find cures and treatments.[http://www.seattlechildrens.org/media/press-release/2006/02/000199 Seattle Children's Hospital Unveils $300 Million Capital Campaign – $200 Million Already Raised] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603093525/http://www.seattlechildrens.org/media/press-release/2006/02/000199/ |date=June 3, 2013 }}, seattlechildrens.org; retrieved June 29, 2013.

In 2007, French Gates received an honorary doctorate in medicine from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.{{Cite web |title=Melinda Gates honorary doctor at Karolinska Institutet {{!}} Karolinska Institutet Nyheter |url=https://news.ki.se/melinda-gates-honorary-doctor-at-karolinska-institutet |access-date=April 21, 2020 |website=news.ki.se |language=en |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803194242/https://news.ki.se/melinda-gates-honorary-doctor-at-karolinska-institutet |url-status=live }} In 2009, she and her then-husband received honorary degrees from the University of Cambridge. Their benefaction of $210 million in 2000 set up the Gates Cambridge Trust, which funds postgraduate scholars from outside the UK to study at the university.{{Cite web |title=Gates Cambridge Trust |url=https://www.nyu.edu/academics/awards-and-highlights/global-awards/scholarships/gates-cambridge-trust.html |access-date=November 30, 2016 |publisher=New York University |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201082539/https://www.nyu.edu/academics/awards-and-highlights/global-awards/scholarships/gates-cambridge-trust.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2013 |title=Gates Cambridge Trust announces new Provost |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/gates-cambridge-trust-announces-new-provost |website=University of Cambridge |access-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201082122/https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/gates-cambridge-trust-announces-new-provost |url-status=live }} Lastly, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Duke University, in 2013, in honor of her philanthropic commitment.

She has been repeatedly recognized, by Forbes in its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women,{{Cite news |title=The World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2013 |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422093923/http://www.forbes.com/power-women/ |url-status=live }} ranking #3 in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017, #4 in 2012 and 2016, #5 in 2020 and 2021, and #6 in 2011, 2018, 2019 and 2022, #10 in 2023.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=The World's Most Powerful Women 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/power-women/ |access-date= |website=Forbes |language=en}} She was awarded the UCSF medal in 2013.{{Cite web |title=UCSF Medal |url=https://chancellor.ucsf.edu/chancellor-awards/ucsf-medal |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Office of the Chancellor |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704012510/https://chancellor.ucsf.edu/chancellor-awards/ucsf-medal |url-status=live }} French Gates was appointed an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2013, for services to philanthropy and international development.{{Cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts and Melinda Gates made (honorary) Dames of the British Empire |work=theguardian.com |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/28/angela-ahrendts-melinda-gates-made-dames |access-date=May 21, 2014 |archive-date=April 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403052711/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/28/angela-ahrendts-melinda-gates-made-dames |url-status=live }} In recognition of the foundation's philanthropic activities in India, Bill and Melinda, jointly, received India's third-highest civilian honor, Padma Bhushan, in 2015.{{Cite news |last=PTI |title=Advani, Bachchan, Dilip Kumar get Padma Vibhushan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/advani-bachchan-dilip-kumar-get-padma-vibhushan/article6821421.ece |access-date=April 23, 2016 |website=The Hindu |date=January 25, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120063253/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/advani-bachchan-dilip-kumar-get-padma-vibhushan/article6821421.ece |url-status=live }} In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded French Gates and her husband with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for their philanthropic efforts.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2016 |title=President Obama Names Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/11/16/president-obama-names-recipients-presidential-medal-freedom |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |access-date=November 16, 2016 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118210055/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/11/16/president-obama-names-recipients-presidential-medal-freedom |url-status=live }}

In 2017, President François Hollande awarded France's highest national honor to French Gates and her husband, for their charitable efforts, i.e. as Commander of the Legion of Honour.{{Cite web |title=Bill et Melinda Gates: une médaille pour le cœur |url=https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Bill-et-Melinda-Gates-une-medaille-pour-le-coeur-1242938 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |website=Paris Match |date=April 29, 2017 |language=fr |archive-date=June 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629080306/https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Bill-et-Melinda-Gates-une-medaille-pour-le-coeur-1242938 |url-status=live }} That year, she was awarded the Otto Hahn Peace Medal 2016 of the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN), Berlin-Brandenburg, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding" in the historic Berlin Town Hall.{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2017 |title=Otto-Hahn-Friedensmedaille an Melinda Gates |url=https://dgvn.berlin/2017/05/26/310 |access-date=September 30, 2017 |website=Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen, Berlin-Brandenburg |publisher=United Nations Association of Germany, LV Berlin-Brandenburg (DGVN) |language=DE |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001042802/https://dgvn.berlin/2017/05/26/310/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=May 25, 2017 |title=Melinda Gates mit Friedensmedaille geehrt |language=DE |work=Focus |publisher=Helmut Markwort |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |url=http://www.focus.de/regional/berlin/auszeichnungen-melinda-gates-mit-friedensmedaille-geehrt_id_7178467.html |access-date=September 30, 2017 |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930202018/http://www.focus.de/regional/berlin/auszeichnungen-melinda-gates-mit-friedensmedaille-geehrt_id_7178467.html |url-status=live }} That year, French Gates was listed by UK-based company Richtopia at number 12 in the list of 200 Most Influential Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide.{{Cite web |title=Philanthropists & Social Entrepreneurs Top 200: From Elon Musk to Melinda Gates, These Are the Most Influential Do-Gooders in the World |url=https://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/top-200-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083458/https://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/top-200-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2017 |website=Richtopia}}{{Cite web |title=Top 200 Global Philanthropists, Social Entrepreneurs |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/31/elumelu-ranked-among-top-200-global-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401060441/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/31/elumelu-ranked-among-top-200-global-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs/ |archive-date=April 1, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |website=ThisDayLive}} In June 2024, she delivered the Commencement address at Stanford University.{{cite web |last1=Peacock |first1=Chris |title=Melinda French Gates will be 2024 Commencement speaker at Stanford |url=https://news.stanford.edu/report/2024/04/02/melinda-french-gates-will-2024-commencement-speaker-stanford/ |website=Stanford Report |access-date=11 April 2024}}

Women in technology

French Gates's experience of a male-dominated workplace at Microsoft inspired her to encourage more women in the computing field.{{Cite web |title=Melinda Gates reveals 'aggressive,' male-dominated life at Microsoft as she calls on all of us to redesign the workplace |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/melinda-gates-reveals-aggressive-male-dominated-life-microsoft-she-calls-us-redesign-workplace/1459159 |access-date=March 14, 2019 |website=www.campaignlive.co.uk |archive-date=March 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312023846/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/melinda-gates-reveals-aggressive-male-dominated-life-microsoft-she-calls-us-redesign-workplace/1459159 |url-status=live }} In September 2016, she announced her desire to increase diversity in the workplace, especially in the technology industry, stating: "Every company needs technology, and yet we're graduating fewer women technologists. That is not good for society. We have to change it."{{Cite web |title=Melinda Gates Wants More Women in Tech Jobs |url=http://money.com/money/4514589/melinda-gates-women-technology-jobs/ |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=Money |language=en |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183840/https://money.com/melinda-gates-women-technology-jobs/ |url-status=live }} French Gates also spoke about this topic at the 2017 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, an annual series of conferences.{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2017 |title=Melinda Gates on women in tech, her first love, and the origins of Comic Sans |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/live-melinda-gates-grace-hopper-celebration-women-computing/ |website=GeekWire |access-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330084229/https://www.geekwire.com/2017/live-melinda-gates-grace-hopper-celebration-women-computing/ |url-status=live }}

Published works

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World (2019) {{ISBN|978-1-250-31357-7}}
The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward (2025) {{ISBN|978-1-250-37865-1}}

References

External links

[http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/General-Information/Leadership/Executive-Leadership-Team/Melinda-Gates Profile at the Gates Foundation]
[https://www.pivotalventures.org/founder Profile at Pivotal Ventures]
{{C-SPAN|1006892}}
{{Charlie Rose view|426}}
{{TED speaker}}
{{IMDb name|2320473}}
{{NYT topic|people/g/melinda_gates}}
[https://money.cnn.com/2008/01/04/news/newsmakers/gates.fortune/index.htm Melinda Gates Goes Public], Fortune magazine, January 4, 2008
[http://www.givesmart.org/Stories/Donors/Melinda-Gates Melinda Gates Philanthropic Profile] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219055056/http://www.givesmart.org/Stories/Donors/Melinda-Gates |date=February 19, 2014 }}), GiveSmart.org, November 2012
[http://www.makers.com/melinda-gates Melinda Gates] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131414/https://www.makers.com/melinda-gates |date=December 1, 2017 }})—Video produced by Makers: Women Who Make America