Melinda French Gates Biography
Melinda French Gates is an American philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women. She is the co-founder of the Bill &Melinda Gate Foundation together with her ex-husband Bill Gates. In 2021, French was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women. In addition, she is also the former multimedia product developer and manager at Microsoft.
French was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, United States. She completed her basic education at St. Monica Catholic School, where she was the valedictorian of her class. After that, she attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas where she graduated in 1982. She furthered her study at Duke University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics. Additionally, Melinda also obtained a MBA from Duke’s Fugua School of Business. While there, she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Beta Rho Chapter.
Shortly after graduating from University, French was hired as a marketing manager for Microsoft company. There she was in charge of development of multimedia products. After that, she worked on Expedia, which became one of the most popular travel booking websites. From 1990s to 1996, Melinda worked as a general manager of information product. That same year, she left in older to start a family. Besides that, Gates also served on the Board of Trustees for Duke University from 1996 to 2003.
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Moreover, Melinda also owns an advocacy and philanthropic organization called Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with ex- husband. She has led the organization to become the world’s wealthiest charitable foundation. The Gates Foundation has given money to various projects to improve global poverty, inequality, and global health. The foundation focuses on problems in five major programmatic areas that include; the Global Health Division, Global Development Division, Global Growth & Opportunity Division, United States Division, and the Global Policy & Advocacy Division.
Furthermore, French also published her book entitled The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World. She also started an investment and incubation company called Pivotal Ventures to address pay inequality, and support women founders in the United States. Apart from that, she and her ex-husband have been awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honor.
Melinda French Gates Age
Melinda is 58 years old as of 2023. She was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, United States. In addition, she celebrates her birthday on August 15 every year.
Melinda French Gates Height/ Weight
Gates stands at a height of 5 feet and 7 inches tall. She weighs around 60 kilograms.
Melinda French Gates Husband
French was married to billionaire CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates. The couple started dating in 1987 after meeting in a trade fair in New York. The pair exchanged the vow in 1994 in a private ceremony held in Lanai, Hawaii. They have three children: two daughters Jennifer and Phoebe Gates and a son Rory Gates. In may 2021, the couple announced their separation after being in a marriage for 27 years. Their divorce was finalized on August of that year. Gates currently lives in Medina, Washington with her family.
Melinda French Gates Family
Melinda is the daughter of Raymond Joseph French Jr and Elaine Agnes Amerland. Her father is an aerospace engineer whil her mother is a homemaker. She is the second child of the family. Gates has two younger brother and an older sister.
Melinda French Gates Net Worth
Melinda has an estimated net worth of between $ 2 billion to $ 10 billion dollars. This includes her personal assets, money, and income. She has accumulate her wealth from her career as a philanthropist and businesswoman.