Biography of Melinda French Gates: Career at Microsoft, net worth and more

Her commitment to empowering women and girls has fueled transformative policies and initiatives, ensuring that equity is at the heart of social progress.

This biography delves into Melinda Gates' journey from her early days in Texas to her status as a global influencer.

READ: What next for Melinda Gates after resigning in $12.5 billion agreement

Moments that have defined Melinda French Gates as a global figure

Melinda was born as the second of four siblings to a stay-at-home mom Elaine Agnes Amerland and her dad, Raymond Joseph French Jr. who was an aerospace engineer.

Melinda Gates participates in a panel discussion during the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings April 20, 2017 0574b01b-f8fe-45f2-ae01-a9525b1c3739

Raised in an upper-middle-class family, she attended St Monica Catholic School before enrolling at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where she graduated as valedictorian.

She credits her parents with instilling in her the importance of hard work and education, which played a significant role in shaping her career and philanthropic outlook.

1. Getting an Apple computer as a 14-year-old

At the age of 14, Melinda French's father acquired an Apple II computer, which was one of the models that was accessible to consumers at the time. Her interaction with the device sparked her interest in computer programming and set a trajectory for her life.

Melinda pursued her higher education at Duke University, earning a Bachelor's degree in computer science and economics in 1986 and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987.

Her academic credentials paved the way for her career at Microsoft, where she started as a product manager and was involved in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products.

2. Career at Microsoft and how she met Bill Gates

Melinda Gates started her career at Microsoft in 1987 as a product manager. Her responsibilities included developing multimedia products, which were a key area of focus for Microsoft during her tenure.

During this time, she met William Henry Gates III and they got married on January 1, 1994, in Lanai, Hawaii.

Bill and Melinda Gates Bill and Melinda Gates Pulse Ghana

After an initial meeting at a sales trade fair in New York in 1987, Bill approached Melinda asking for a date in two weeks and she turned him down for not being spontaneous enough. He'd invite her for a date that evening and thus began their relationship and later marriage that would last 27 years.

Together they have raised three children: Jennifer who was born in 1996 and is married equestrian Nayel Nassar, son Rory who was born in 1999, and daughter Phoebe who was born in 2002.

3. Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates get divorced in May 2021

While details of their divorce are not public, in her 2019 memoir "The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World", Melinda shared details of some of their biggest marital struggles.

The book also highlighted intimate partner violence that she endured with a past partner, before meeting Gates.

VIDEO: Melinda Gates' lawyer explains handling divorce between billionaires

Since the divorce, however, Melinda has continued her philanthropic work and has expanded her influence through several new ventures and initiatives.

4. Founding Pivotal Ventures

Melinda founded Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company, in 2015, and has intensified her efforts through this organisation since the divorce.

The company aims to accelerate social progress in the United States through high-impact investments and solutions targeting issues affecting women and families.

Melinda French Gates speaks onstage at a February 2019 event.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for THR Business Insider USA

Melinda has emphasised her independent philanthropic vision through Pivotal Ventures, and recently stepped down from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She has been particularly vocal about her commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.

In 2021, Melinda French Gates committed $1 billion to promote gender equality through Pivotal Ventures. This initiative targets systemic inequalities and aims to fast-track the power and influence of women in various sectors including technology, media, and politics.

5. Melinda French Gates's awards and net worth

Melinda has continued her role as an author and advocate for women's rights and social issues. Her book, "The Moment of Lift", remains a significant part of her work, and she continues to speak and write on issues related to equity, public health, and global development.

Melinda has engaged in various collaborations and partnerships aimed at tackling global and domestic issues. This includes continued work on healthcare and education, as well as new initiatives aimed at responding to the pandemic and its impacts on women and minorities.

Melinda French Gates Source: Gates Notes Business Insider USA

Melinda Gates has been recognised with numerous awards and honors for her philanthropic work and advocacy for global health, education, and women's rights. Some of the notable awards include:

Presidential Medal of Freedom: In 2016, Melinda, along with her then-husband Bill Gates, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States, recognising their significant contributions to global health and poverty alleviation.
Padma Bhushan: In 2015, the Government of India awarded Bill and Melinda Gates the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for their philanthropic activities in the country, particularly in the area of health.
BBC 100 Women: Melinda has been listed in the BBC’s 100 Women, recognizing her as one of the most influential women in the world due to her philanthropic initiatives and efforts to promote equality for women.
Forbes' Most Powerful Women: She has frequently appeared on Forbes' list of the world's most powerful women, reflecting her influence in global philanthropy and her role in directing significant resources toward improving lives around the globe.
The Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award: In 2013, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was awarded the Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award for its broad and impactful public health efforts, which Melinda co-directed.

Melinda Gates [Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images] Business Insider USA

VIDEO: Melinda Gates on marriage, gender equality, and solving tough problems

As of 2024, Melinda Gates's net worth is estimated to be around $12 billion. This wealth comes from her career at Microsoft and her significant holdings from her marriage to Bill Gates, as well as her ongoing investments and philanthropic activities through organisations like Pivotal Ventures.

This content was generated by an AI model and verified by the author.