Melinda French Gates

Melinda French Gates, born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, is a distinguished American philanthropist and businessperson. She pursued her education at Duke University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics, followed by an MBA. In 1987, she joined Microsoft as a multimedia product developer, marking the beginning of a remarkable career in technology and philanthropy.

In the same year she joined Microsoft, Melinda began a relationship with Bill Gates, the company's co-founder. The couple married in 1994 and welcomed three children together before their divorce in 2021. From 2000 to 2024, they co-chaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private charitable organization globally, focusing on global health, development, and education. Their philanthropic efforts earned them numerous accolades, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honour.

Following her resignation as co-chair in 2024, Melinda received twelve point five billion dollars as part of her divorce settlement, which she has dedicated to independent philanthropy, particularly aimed at supporting women and families. She has emerged as a significant megadonor to the Democratic Party, advocating for abortion rights and endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

In 2025, she published her memoir, 'The Next Day: Transition, Change and Moving Forward,' reflecting on her journey and experiences. Consistently recognized by Forbes as one of the world's most powerful women, Melinda was also named one of the BBC's 100 Women of 2021. As of February 2026, her net worth is estimated at thirty billion four hundred million dollars, positioning her as the seventy-second wealthiest person in the world according to Forbes.