Melinda French Gates

Born 1964 · Age 61

American philanthropist, former Microsoft product manager, co-founder and former co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founder of Pivotal Ventures, author and advocate for women and families.

Total Events

Career Span

61 years

Peak Net Worth

$30,600,000,000

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Life & Career Timeline

1964Age 0

Born in Dallas, Texas

Melinda Ann French born to Raymond Joseph French Jr. and Elaine Agnes Amerland in Dallas, Texas.

8/15/1964Source

Confidence

99%

1978Age 14

Introduced to Apple II and computer programming

At age 14 her father purchased an Apple II and a teacher encouraged computer science; she learned BASIC and developed interest in computing and games.

1/1/1978Source

Confidence

95%

1982Age 18

Graduated Ursuline Academy of Dallas (valedictorian)

Graduated as valedictorian from the all-girls Ursuline Academy in Dallas.

1/1/1982Source

Confidence

95%

1986Age 22

Earned B.S. in Computer Science & Economics at Duke

Completed bachelor's degree in computer science and economics at Duke University.

1/1/1986Source

Confidence

98%

1987Age 23

Earned MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business

Completed an MBA at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business (1987).

1/1/1987Source

Confidence

98%

1987Age 23

Joined Microsoft as product/marketing manager

Hired at Microsoft (joined product development/marketing), responsible for multimedia and consumer information products.

1/1/1987Source

Confidence

99%

1987Age 23

Met Bill Gates; began dating

Met Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates at a trade fair in New York and started a relationship later that year.

1/1/1987Source

Confidence

98%

1988Age 24

Worked on early multimedia products at Microsoft

Worked on Microsoft multimedia/info products including Cinemania, Encarta, Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Money, Works (Mac), and Word.

1/1/1988Source

Confidence

95%

1993Age 29

Bill Gates proposed (approx. 1993)

Bill Gates proposed in 1993 after six years of dating; led to marriage the following year.

1/1/1993Source

Confidence

90%

1994Age 29

Married Bill Gates

Married Bill Gates in a private ceremony on Lānaʻi, Hawaii (often cited as Jan 1, 1994).

1/1/1994Source

Confidence

98%

1996Age 32

Promoted to General Manager, Information Products (until 1996)

Served as General Manager of Information Products at Microsoft into 1996; worked on projects including Expedia.

1/1/1996Source

Confidence

90%

1996Age 32

Left Microsoft to focus on family

Departed Microsoft (1996) reportedly to focus on raising family after birth of first child.

1/1/1996Source

Confidence

95%

1996Age 31

Birth of daughter Jennifer

First child, daughter Jennifer Gates, was born (April 1996).

4/1/1996Source

Confidence

98%

1997Age 33

Co-founded Gates Library Foundation

With Bill Gates, launched Gates Library Foundation to bring computers and internet access to public libraries in the U.S.

1/1/1997Source

Confidence

97%

1999Age 35

Gates Millennium Scholars program established

Launched program directing $1 billion toward minority scholarships (Gates Millennium Scholars).

1/1/1999Source

Confidence

90%

2000Age 36

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation formed

Merged William H. Gates Foundation and Gates Learning Foundation into the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; founders transferred large stock endowment.

1/1/2000Source

Confidence

85%

2000Age 36

Launch of Sound Families

Bill and Melinda launched Sound Families to tackle homelessness in the Puget Sound region.

1/1/2000Source

Confidence

90%

2000Age 36

Donated to found Gates Cambridge Trust (benefaction)

Benefaction (~$210M reported) to create Gates Cambridge Trust for postgraduate scholarships at the University of Cambridge.

1/1/2000Source

Confidence

85%

2000Age 36

Gates Foundation pledge to Gavi and library expansion

Foundation committed significant early grants including $750M to Gavi (vaccine alliance) and global library work expansion.

1/1/2000Source

Confidence

88%

2002Age 38

Award: Jefferson Awards – Public Service

Bill and Melinda Gates received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged (Jefferson Awards).

1/1/2002Source

Confidence

90%

2003Age 39

Launched Grand Challenges in Global Health

Foundation launched Grand Challenges awarding $450M+ in early grants for global health innovation.

1/1/2003Source

Confidence

90%

2004Age 40

Joined Washington Post Company / Graham Holdings board

Elected to the board of directors of Graham Holdings Company (formerly The Washington Post Company) in 2004.

1/1/2004Source

Confidence

95%

2005Age 41

Time Persons of the Year (with Bill Gates and Bono)

Named Persons of the Year by Time magazine (2005) for philanthropic work.

1/1/2005Source

Confidence

98%

2005Age 41

Global library work expands internationally

Gates Foundation's library initiative expanded worldwide supporting internet access in public libraries across many countries.

1/1/2005Source

Confidence

85%

2006Age 42

Award: Insignia of the Order of the Aztec Eagle

Melinda and Bill Gates received Mexican honors (Insignia of the Order of the Aztec Eagle / Placard) for philanthropic work in Mexico.

1/1/2006Source

Confidence

95%

2006Age 42

Seattle Children's Ambulatory Care building dedicated

Seattle Children's Hospital dedicated the Melinda French Gates Ambulatory Care building; she chaired a $300M fundraising campaign.

1/1/2006Source

Confidence

90%

2006Age 42

Warren Buffett pledge to the Foundation

Warren Buffett pledged more than $30 billion to the Gates Foundation, dramatically increasing its resources.

1/1/2006Source

Confidence

97%

2006Age 42

Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation

Bill and Melinda Gates received Spain's Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.

5/4/2006Source

Confidence

98%

2007Age 43

Honorary doctorate, Karolinska Institute

Received an honorary doctorate in medicine from Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm).

1/1/2007Source

Confidence

95%

2009Age 45

Honorary degrees from the University of Cambridge

She and Bill received honorary degrees; benefaction had created Gates Cambridge Trust.

1/1/2009Source

Confidence

95%

2010Age 46

Launched the Giving Pledge (with Bill Gates & Warren Buffett)

Founded Giving Pledge to encourage the ultrawealthy to commit to give away the majority of their wealth.

1/1/2010Source

Confidence

95%

2011Age 47

Restated Foundation mission and reorganization

Foundation reorganized into divisions (global health, global development, U.S. community & education) and restated mission focusing on equity.

1/1/2011Source

Confidence

90%

2012Age 48

London Summit on Family Planning (led initiative)

Led the London Summit on Family Planning; set goal to expand voluntary contraception access to 120M women by 2020.

1/1/2012Source

Confidence

90%

2013Age 49

Appointed Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Honorary DBE conferred for services to philanthropy and international development.

1/1/2013Source

Confidence

95%

2013Age 49

UCSF Medal awarded

Received the UCSF medal (2013) in recognition of contributions to health and medicine.

1/1/2013Source

Confidence

90%

2013Age 49

Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Duke University

Awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of philanthropic commitment.

1/1/2013Source

Confidence

95%

2015Age 51

Co-chair: Foundation pledged $75M to Global Financing Facility

Foundation supported the Global Financing Facility; foundation announced other major global development partnerships.

1/1/2015Source

Confidence

88%

2015Age 51

Founded Pivotal Ventures (as independent LLC)

Created Pivotal Ventures (2015) to invest in and incubate initiatives advancing U.S. women and families; uses LLC structure for grants, investments, political contributions.

1/1/2015Source

Confidence

98%

2016Age 52

Award: Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama awarded Melinda (and Bill) the Presidential Medal of Freedom for philanthropic work.

1/1/2016Source

Confidence

99%

2017Age 53

Received Otto Hahn Peace Medal

Awarded the Otto Hahn Peace Medal (United Nations Association of Germany) for international understanding and peace contributions.

1/1/2017Source

Confidence

95%

2017Age 53

Listed among top global philanthropists and social entrepreneurs

Named by Richtopia and others among the world's most influential philanthropists and social entrepreneurs (e.g., #12 on Richtopia's list).

1/1/2017Source

Confidence

85%

2017Age 53

Award: Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)

Melinda and Bill Gates were awarded France's Legion of Honour for charitable efforts.

1/1/2017Source

Confidence

97%

2019Age 55

Pledged $1 billion via Pivotal to bolster women's power

Announced a $1 billion pledge (2019) over a decade via Pivotal to expand women's power and influence in the U.S.

1/1/2019Source

Confidence

92%

2019Age 55

Published The Moment of Lift (first book)

Debut book The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World published; promoted with high-profile appearances including a comedic sketch with Barack Obama.

1/1/2019Source

Confidence

98%

2020Age 56

Gates Foundation commits $1.75B to COVID-19 response

Foundation committed $1.75 billion to accelerate development and equitable distribution of tests, treatments, and vaccines for COVID-19.

1/1/2020Source

Confidence

95%

2021Age 57

Recognized on BBC 100 Women list

Named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2021.

1/1/2021Source

Confidence

95%

2021Age 57

Board role: Duke University trustee (1996–2003) and Graham Holdings director (since 2004)

Served on Duke's board of trustees (1996–2003); elected to the board of Graham Holdings (formerly Washington Post Company) in 2004; left Drugstore.com board in Aug 2006.

1/1/2021Source

Confidence

90%

2021Age 57

Foundation commitment to gender equality: $2.1B

At the Generation Equality Forum, the Gates Foundation announced a five-year $2.1 billion commitment to support gender-equality efforts.

1/1/2021Source

Confidence

92%

2021Age 57

Announced separation and filed for divorce

Bill and Melinda Gates announced decision to end their marriage after 27 years; Melinda reportedly had consulted lawyers since 2019.

5/1/2021Source

Confidence

97%

2021Age 57

Divorce finalized

Divorce between Bill and Melinda Gates finalized August 2, 2021; Melinda used the name Melinda French Gates publicly after separation.

8/2/2021Net Worth: $2,000,000,000Source

Confidence

60%

2022Age 58

Bill & Melinda Gates reported to have given $59.1B to foundation

By 2022 the couple had donated approximately $59.1 billion of their personal wealth to the foundation (reported cumulative figure).

1/1/2022Source

Confidence

90%

2023Age 59

Foundation reported $77.6B in grants to date

By 2023, the Gates Foundation had funded a cumulative total of approximately $77.6 billion in grants (reported totals).

1/1/2023Source

Confidence

88%

2023Age 58

Became a grandmother

Melinda became a grandmother when daughter Jennifer gave birth to a daughter (March 2023).

3/1/2023Source

Confidence

95%

2024Age 60

Pledges/sponsored political giving via Pivotal (2022–2025 data)

Pivotal (LLC) made political donations of approximately $15.74M between 2022 and 2025 (reported); used LLC structure to make political contributions and investments.