Melinda French Gates
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| Melinda French Gates |
Melinda French Gates is an American philanthropist and businesswoman, who is best known as the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world.
Melinda was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in a Catholic family. She graduated from Duke University in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics, and later earned an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987.
After graduation, Melinda began working at Microsoft Corporation, where she met Bill Gates, the company's founder and CEO. The two were married in 1994 and have three children together.
In 2000, Melinda and Bill founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the goal of improving healthcare and reducing poverty around the world. The foundation has since become one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world, with an endowment of over $50 billion.
Melinda has been actively involved in the foundation's work, focusing on areas such as global health, education, and gender equality. She has also been a vocal advocate for women's empowerment, and has worked to promote family planning and reproductive rights around the world.
In May 2021, Melinda and Bill Gates announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage, but have stated that they will continue to work together on their philanthropic efforts through the foundation.
Overall, Melinda French Gates is a respected businesswoman and philanthropist who has dedicated her life to improving the lives of people around the world. Her work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has had a significant impact on global health and poverty reduction, and she continues to be a leading voice in the fight for social justice and equality.