Melinda French Gates
"Every company needs technology, but we're graduating fewer women technologists," she said in September 2016, announcing her goal to boost workplace diversity, particularly in the technology sector. Society would not benefit from such. We must alter it.
Philanthropist & Women’s Advocate
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | August 15, 1964 (Age 61 as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Duke University (B.S., Computer Science & Economics); Fuqua School of Business, Duke University (MBA) |
| Current Net Worth | Estimated $30.4 Billion (as of 2026) |
| Title / Portfolio | Philanthropist; Co-chair (2000–2024) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Founder, Pivotal Ventures; Former Microsoft Marketing Manager & Product Developer |
| Key Status | #PhilanthropyLeader, #WomenEmpowerment, #GlobalHealthAdvocate, #BusinessInfluencer |
Melinda Ann French Gates (born August 15, 1964) is an American philanthropist and businesswoman. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, she studied computer science and economics at Duke University, later earning an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business. In 1987, she joined Microsoft as a multimedia product developer, where she worked on products such as Encarta, Publisher, and Expedia. That same year she began dating Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates, whom she married in 1994. The couple divorced in 2021 after twenty-seven years of marriage, and they have three children together.
From 2000 until 2024, Melinda and Bill Gates co-chaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which became the world’s largest private charitable organization. Their philanthropic work focused on global health, development, and education, earning them honors such as the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and France’s Legion of Honour. In 2024, Melinda resigned as co-chair, leaving Bill Gates as sole chair of the renamed Gates Foundation. As part of her divorce settlement, she received $12.5 billion to pursue independent philanthropy. She has also become a prominent donor to the Democratic Party and endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In 2025, she published her memoir The Next Day: Transition, Change and Moving Forward.
Consistently ranked among the world’s most powerful women by Forbes, she was also named one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2021. As of February 2026, her net worth was estimated at $30.4 billion.
Early Life and Education#
Melinda French was born in Dallas, Texas, the second of four children of Raymond Joseph French Jr. and Elaine Agnes Amerland. Raised Catholic, she attended St. Monica Catholic School and later Ursuline Academy of Dallas. At age fourteen, she was introduced to the Apple II computer, sparking her interest in programming and technology.
Career at Microsoft#
After completing her MBA, she joined Microsoft as a marketing manager, working on multimedia products such as Cinemania, Encarta, Publisher, Bob, Money, Works, Word, and Expedia. By the early 1990s, she had risen to general manager of Information Products, a role she held until 1996.
Philanthropy#
Melinda French Gates became a public figure through her work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, donating billions toward global health, education, and development initiatives. In 2015, she founded Pivotal Ventures, an independent organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and families in the United States.
Writing#
In 2019, French Gates published The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World. In 2025, she released her memoir The Next Day: Transition, Change and Moving Forward.
Awards and Recognition#
She was named Time Person of the Year in 2005 alongside Bill Gates, received the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, India’s Padma Bhushan, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Political Activity#
Following her divorce, French Gates became a major donor to Democratic causes, endorsing Joe Biden and later Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Personal Life#
Melinda met Bill Gates in 1987 and married him in 1994 in Lāna‘i, Hawaii. They announced their divorce in 2021. She later confirmed new relationships in the mid-2020s.
References#
- “Melinda French Gates,” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_French_Gates
- “Duke University,” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_University
- “Microsoft History,” Microsoft Corp. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/history
- “Bill Gates,” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates
- “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation
- Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients. https://www.whitehouse.gov
- BBC News coverage of Gates divorce settlement. https://www.bbc.com/news
- 2024 U.S. Election Coverage. https://www.reuters.com
- Publisher information for The Next Day. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
- BBC 100 Women List. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-55042935
- Forbes Billionaires List. https://www.forbes.com
- “Ursuline Academy of Dallas,” School History. https://www.ursulinedallas.org
- “Pivotal Ventures,” Organization Website. https://www.pivotalventures.org
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