Melinda French Gates (born Melinda Ann French; August 15, 1964) is an American philanthropist and former Microsoft executive. Raised in Dallas, Texas, she graduated from Duke University and joined Microsoft in 1987.
She married Bill Gates in 1994, and in 2000, they co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private charitable organization. They divorced in 2021, and in 2024, she resigned from the foundation, receiving $12.5 billion for independent philanthropy. Forbes ranks her among the world’s most powerful women.
RELATED: Who is Donna D’Errico? Where is she now? Everything You Need To Know
Table of Contents
Melinda Gates Net Worth
Melinda French Gates has a net worth of $13 billion following her 2021 divorce from Bill Gates, one of the largest settlements in history. Without a prenuptial agreement, they divided assets through negotiation.
A significant portion of their combined fortune was already designated for philanthropy, but at least $10 billion in shares from Cascade Investments was transferred to Melinda. The exact settlement details remain undisclosed, but she emerged as one of the wealthiest women, focusing her resources on charitable and political causes.
Early life
Melinda French Gates was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. She is the second of four children of Raymond Joseph French Jr., an aerospace engineer, and Elaine Agnes Amerland, a homemaker. Raised Catholic, she attended St. Monica Catholic School, where she was valedictorian.
Introduced to the Apple II at 14, she developed an interest in computer science. She graduated valedictorian from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 1982 and earned a computer science and economics degree from Duke University in 1986, followed by an MBA in 1987.
Career
Melinda French Gates began her career tutoring in math and computer programming before joining Microsoft as a marketing manager. She developed Cinemania, Encarta, Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Money, Works, and Word, and contributed to Expedia.
In the early 1990s, she became General Manager of Information Products, a role she held until 1996, when she left to focus on family. She later served on Duke University’s board, Graham Holdings’ board, and founded Pivotal Ventures in 2015. In 2024, she resigned from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Personal life
Melinda French Gates began dating Bill Gates in 1987 and married him in 1994 in Lanai, Hawaii. They have three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe. The family lived in Medina, Washington, and owned property in Del Mar, California. In May 2021, after 27 years, the couple announced their divorce, finalized on August 2, 2021.
Since then, she has donated over $10 million to Democratic causes, endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and became a grandmother in March 2023. She remains a practicing Catholic.
Why did Melinda leave Bill Gates?
Melinda French Gates divorced Bill Gates due to infidelity and her discomfort with his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. She expressed that she felt the relationship was too close and a significant factor in their split.
Conclusion
Melinda Gates’ journey from a tech manager to a philanthropist is a testament to her versatility and commitment to global betterment. Her net worth, while substantial, is a mere aspect of her larger contribution to society. Her impact, especially in the realms of health, education, and women’s rights, continues to resonate globally, making her a significant figure in the contemporary world.
RELATED: Alexandra Daddario Net Worth: The Financial Portrait of a Hollywood Star
FAQs about Melinda Gates
- What motivated Melinda Gates to focus on philanthropy? Melinda Gates’ philanthropic focus was influenced by her experiences at Microsoft and her exposure to global inequities. Her desire to make a positive impact on the world led her to co-found the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- What are the key focus areas of the Gates Foundation? The foundation concentrates on health, education, and poverty alleviation, with a special emphasis on developing countries and underprivileged communities.
- How does Melinda Gates balance her personal and professional life? Melinda Gates manages to balance her personal life, including her role as a mother, with her professional commitments by prioritizing and being dedicated to her causes.
- What impact has Melinda Gates had on women’s rights? She has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, emphasizing the importance of education and healthcare for women and girls globally.
- How has Melinda Gates’ background in technology influenced her philanthropy? Her tech background has allowed her to approach philanthropic challenges with a problem-solving mindset, leveraging technology to address global issues effectively.
