In May, Melinda French Gates announced her departure from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization they co-founded in 2000. Despite their divorce a few years ago, the couple continued their philanthropic work together, with Melinda playing a significant role in the foundation’s effectiveness. Her decision to leave had a profound impact on the world of big-donor charitable giving.
Listen to the Conversation With Melinda French Gates
The billionaire philanthropist is turning 60, striking out on her own, and venturing into the political arena.
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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, soon to be known as the Gates Foundation, stands as the largest philanthropic organization in the United States, having donated nearly $80 billion since its establishment. Their charitable contributions have influenced various causes, from global childhood vaccination initiatives to controversial educational reforms like the Common Core in the U.S.
Melinda French Gates’ departure not only marked a significant change but also signaled her foray into the political landscape. She expressed her intention to focus on supporting women’s rights in the U.S., including advocating for abortion rights. In June, she endorsed President Biden and later Vice President Kamala Harris.
During a recent discussion, she elaborated on her sense of urgency to address these issues, her life post-divorce, raising children in a wealthy environment, her new YouTube series titled “Moments That Make Us,” and the evolution of her perspectives on managing personal wealth.
You are in this big moment of transition. You’ve been through a divorce. You’re about to turn 60. You’ve left the Gates Foundation after over two decades. Has it felt like a big identity shift?
Not really, because I am still the same person that I was when I was at the foundation. I’m still doing the work on behalf of women and girls. The decision to leave required careful thought and reflection. So, while the transition has been ongoing, I have gradually adjusted to the idea in recent months.
