Bill Gates Wife / Spouse

“I learn in a different way. I learn experientially.” This famous quote of Melinda French Gates, whom a lot of people would have referred to as Bill Gates wife, says a lot about her personality and values. In fact, she is more than the famous Microsoft founder’s wife, she is a woman set to inspire change and empower women all over the world.

Bill Gates Wife

Melinda French hailed from Dallas, Texas and was born on August 15, 1964, a Philanthropist and Microsoft’s former general manager. She is considered by Forbes as one of the most powerful women all over the world. French has a degree in computer science and economics from The Duke University. She earned her masters degree in Business from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

After earning her degree, she joined Microsoft as a marketing manager. Worked her way up to become the general manager of Information Products until 1996. She later on resigned from her post to focus on her family.

Melinda French and Bill Gates in 1994 and were blessed with three children, namely: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe Gates.

In October of 2019, Melinda French and Bill Gates, according to the Wall Street Journal, met with divorce lawyers. The report came about because of Bill Gates’ association with the Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, became public. French has been warning Gates about Epstein ever since 2013 about making business dealings with him.

The two announced their decision to divorce through social media in May 2021. On August 2 of 2021, they finally ended their 27 years of marriage. There was no prenuptial agreement and the French never asked for spousal support. However, Gates transferred over $2 billion of stocks to French making her a billionaire.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

French and Gates founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a charitable organization. Built from the shared values to give back to the community. A practice they saw from their parents while growing up. Their project grew big which even garnered them the US Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Barack Obama.

Recognition and Awards

As they say, good deeds come back to those who pay things forward. Here are some of the awards and recognitions French and Gates received for their charity works:

• Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged (2002)
• Time’s Person of the year (together with Bono) 2005
• Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation (2006)
• The Insignia of the Order of the Aztec Eagle (2006)
• Honorary degrees from the University of Cambridge
• Honorary doctorate in medicine from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden (2007)
• US Presidential Medal of Freedom
• The French Legion of Honor presented by President François Hollande

French was proclaimed as one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the following rankings:

• #3 in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017
• #4 in 2016 and 2012
• #6 in 2011, 2018, and 2019

French also received multiple awards and recognition on her own:

• 2013 – USCF medal
• 2013 – Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
• 2015 – India’s 3rd highest recognition for civilian, Padma Bhushan
• Otto Hahn Peace Medal 2016 of the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN)

Women Empowerment

Having to work in Microsoft, which is part of a male-dominated industry, French realized how females are outnumbered in the technology field. This led Melinda French to support diversity in the workplace. She spoke about the same subject in the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, in 2017.

In addition, she founded Pivotal Ventures. The company aims to empower social progress for women and their families in the US.

Melinda French wrote the book “The Moment of Lift.” This book talks about various remarkable women she has encountered throughout the years all over the globe. French shared her personal experiences, alongside these inspiring women she met. It seeks to inspire or empower girls and women to contribute to society in their own way. Because women can create change and make a lasting impact in the community and in themselves.

Despite all the ups and downs in her personal life, Melinda French is still an empowered woman set to move more women and men around the world. Her track record is only a testament of what she is capable of. The future is full of possibilities and the world is waiting for Melinda French to make her own mark all over the world, changing lives and empowering women.

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