Melinda French Gates

Place

• Now
  27th
• Last week
  26th
• Two weeks ago
  26th
• Three weeks ago
  28th

Melinda French Gates, a prominent billionaire from the United States, is renowned for her extensive philanthropy and impactful work in global health, education, and women's empowerment. Born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, Melinda earned degrees in computer science and economics from Duke University before joining Microsoft in 1987, where she met her future husband, Bill Gates.

At Microsoft, Melinda held various managerial positions, eventually becoming General Manager of Information Products. Her contributions to the company were significant, but she chose to leave Microsoft in the mid-1990s to focus on her family and philanthropic interests.

In 2000, Melinda and Bill Gates co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has grown to become one of the largest and most influential private charitable foundations in the world. The foundation's mission is to enhance healthcare, reduce extreme poverty, and expand educational opportunities and access to information technology globally. It has committed billions of dollars to various causes, including the fight against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Melinda's role in the foundation has been pivotal. She has championed initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health, promoting gender equality, and empowering women and girls around the world. Her advocacy for contraceptive access and family planning has been particularly impactful, helping millions of women gain control over their reproductive health.

In 2015, Melinda launched Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company focused on advancing social progress in the United States. Pivotal Ventures addresses issues such as gender equality, access to capital for women entrepreneurs, and support for caregivers.

Melinda French Gates is also a published author. Her book, "The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World," released in 2019, highlights the importance of gender equality and shares inspiring stories of women from around the globe.

Melinda's philanthropic efforts and dedication to social causes have earned her numerous accolades and recognition as a global leader. Her work continues to inspire and drive significant progress in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Share

Your involvement