Melinda Gates

Melinda French Gates is an American philanthropist and author. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics and an MBA from Duke University. After joining Microsoft in 1987, she worked on multimedia products and later left the company. In 2000, she and Bill Gates co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she served as co-chair, helping guide initiatives in global health, development, and education. She has also focused on expanding women’s and girls’ opportunities. French Gates wrote *The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World* (2019), drawing on her philanthropic work and advocacy.