Melinda French Gates

$29.88 B

Ranked #74 in World

About Melinda French Gates

Renowned philanthropist Melinda French Gates, born August 15, 1964, has made significant strides in global health and education. A Duke University alumna, with both a Bachelor's in Computer Science and Economics and an MBA, she co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private charity worldwide. Despite her 2021 divorce from Bill Gates, French Gates, recognized by Forbes as one of the most powerful women, persists in championing women's empowerment and gender equality. She is also the founder of Pivotal Ventures and an acclaimed author.

Born

August 15, 1964

Age

61 years

Source Of Wealth

Microsoft

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Seattle, Washington

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Duke University; Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business

Melinda French Gates was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. Her father, Ray French, was an aerospace engineer, and her mother, Elaine French, was a homemaker. Melinda was the second of four children and grew up in a close-knit family.

Melinda French Gates: Family

Melinda French Gates was married to Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, from 1994 to 2021. They have three children together: Jennifer, Phoebe, and Rory Gates.

Melinda French Gates: Career Highlights

Melinda French Gates began her career as a multimedia product developer and manager at Microsoft. She played a key role in the development of several successful products, including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Encarta. In 2000, she co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with her husband, Bill Gates. The foundation is the world's largest private charitable organization and focuses on global health, education, and poverty alleviation.

Melinda French Gates: Companies

Melinda French Gates has served on the boards of several companies, including Duke University, Graham Holdings (formerly The Washington Post Company), and Pivotal Ventures, a company she founded in 2015 to invest in women-led businesses.

Melinda French Gates: Major Achievements

Melinda French Gates has made significant contributions to global health, education, and poverty alleviation through her work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She has also been recognized for her advocacy for women's empowerment and gender equality.

Melinda French Gates: Awards & Achievements

Melinda French Gates has received numerous awards for her philanthropic work, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the French Legion of Honour, and the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation. She has also been ranked among the world's most powerful women by Forbes magazine.

Melinda French Gates: Personal Life & Legacy

Melinda French Gates is known for her intelligence, compassion, and dedication to philanthropy. She is a role model for women around the world and has made a lasting impact on global health and education.

Melinda French Gates: Trivia

Melinda French Gates is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her family.

She is also a fan of the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys.

Wealth History

Timeline

August 15, 1964

Melinda French Gates was born in Dallas, Texas.

1986

Melinda French Gates received a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics from Duke University.

1987

Melinda French Gates received an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business.

1994

Melinda French Gates married Bill Gates.

1996-2003

Melinda French Gates served as a member of Duke University's Board of Trustees.

2000

Melinda French Gates co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

2004

Melinda French Gates joined the Board of Directors of Graham Holdings (formerly The Washington Post Company).

2015

Melinda French Gates founded Pivotal Ventures.

2019

Melinda French Gates published the book "The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World".

May 2021

Melinda French Gates announced her divorce from Bill Gates, but remains co-chair of the foundation.

Melinda French Gates : FAQs

What is Melinda French Gates's current net worth?

Melinda French Gates's current net worth is $29.88 billion.

What is Melinda French Gates's current global rank among billionaires?

Melinda French Gates holds the 74th position globally among billionaires.

What is Melinda French Gates's current ranking within the United States?

Melinda French Gates holds the 35th position in United States.

What was the change in Melinda French Gates's net worth compared to the previous year?

Melinda French Gates's net worth increased by 565.1 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when her net worth was 29.32 billion dollars.

What are Melinda French Gates's main sources of wealth?

Melinda French Gates's main source of income comes from Microsoft.

In which industry does Melinda French Gates primarily operate?

Melinda French Gates is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Melinda French Gates educational background?

Melinda French Gates holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from Fuqua School of Business.

How old is Melinda French Gates?

Melinda French Gates is 61 years old.

How many children does Melinda French Gates have?

Melinda French Gates has 3 children.

Who is Melinda French Gates and what is her background?

Melinda French Gates, born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, is a philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics, and an MBA from Duke University, and had a career as a product developer at Microsoft.

What are Melinda French Gates' contributions to philanthropy?

Melinda French Gates co-chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. She has received awards like the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honour for her philanthropic efforts.

Has Melinda French Gates written any books?

Yes, Melinda French Gates is the author of 'The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World', published in 2019, wherein she discusses the importance of female empowerment.

What awards has Melinda French Gates received for her work?

Melinda French Gates has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, and was ranked among the world's most powerful women by Forbes magazine.

How is Melinda French Gates advocating for women and technology?

Melinda French Gates is an advocate for women's empowerment and gender equality and encourages more women to pursue careers in technology, emphasizing the benefits of diversity in the field.