Melinda French Gates, born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, is a renowned American philanthropist. She co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation globally, alongside her former husband, Bill Gates. Esteemed for her work in philanthropy, Gates dedicates her efforts towards global health, education, and women's empowerment. Through the creation and leadership of Pivotal Ventures, she advocates for social progress, especially focusing on gender equality.
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Melinda Ann French Gates |
| Born | August 15, 1964, Dallas, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Philanthropist, Investor |
| Known For | Co-founding the Gates Foundation |
| Net Worth | $30.1 billion (2025) |
| Education | Duke University (BS, MBA) |
Melinda French Gates was born into a Catholic family in Dallas, Texas. Her father, Raymond Joseph French Jr., was an aerospace engineer, and her mother, Elaine Agnes Amerland, was a homemaker with a strong emphasis on education. Melinda was the second of four children, growing up in an environment that highly valued learning and discipline. She excelled academically, particularly enjoying mathematics, and attended the all-girls Ursuline Academy of Dallas. Therein, she developed a profound interest in computing.
Her higher education journey led her to Duke University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Economics in 1986. She then completed her MBA at Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987. These academic experiences laid a robust foundation that prepared Melinda for her future career at Microsoft.
Melinda's career began at Microsoft, where she joined as a marketing manager in 1987. Her roles involved working on various software products, including Microsoft Word and Expedia. Melinda's work proved pivotal in steering these projects to successful outcomes.
In 1994, Melinda married Bill Gates, which coincided with a transition from her corporate role to family and philanthropic endeavors. They co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, redirecting the application of their substantial wealth to global issues like poverty and healthcare.
Following her departure from the Gates Foundation in June 2024, Melinda shifted her focus to Pivotal Ventures, an investment firm dedicated to elevating women's roles in technology and leadership positions. The organization champions initiatives that strive for equality and innovation, reflecting Melinda’s enduring commitment to societal advancement.
The Gates Foundation continues to maintain her values, investing robustly in global health and education, although with a sunset date set at 2045. Her initiatives significantly reshape approaches to philanthropy, underscoring the power of data-driven, evidence-based strategies.
Melinda French Gates remains a towering figure in philanthropy and advocacy. Her life’s work continues to inspire policy changes and innovations worldwide. While her divorce from Bill Gates was highly publicized, it has not deterred her from her core mission, leaving an indelible influence on global health, education, and women’s empowerment.