Forbes magazine estimates her net worth at $6 billion.
(Photo: Reuters)
new York After their divorce, Bill and Melinda Gates not only went their separate ways privately, but now also in their philanthropic work. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Melinda French Gates no longer wants to bequeath her billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, but instead distributes it to other foundations. This emerges from the new legacy that the 57-year-old signed at the end of 2021.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his then-wife founded the foundation in 2000. With more than 50 billion dollars in capital, it is now one of the largest charitable foundations in the world and is committed to the eradication of malaria and polio, among other things.
In 2010, the billionaire couple signed a joint “Giving Pledge” letter in which they pledged to leave the majority of their wealth to the foundation. At that time, the star investor Warren Buffett had also followed this promise.
But with the divorce of the billionaire couple, managing the foundation together has become more difficult. The two continue to chair the Foundation as co-chairs. But Melinda Gates had already agreed to step down in 2023 if working with her husband was no longer possible.
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She has now written her new “Giving Pledge” letter and also wants to go her own way in philanthropy. “I recognize the absurdity of having so much wealth in one person’s hands,” writes Melinda Gates, “and I believe the only responsible thing to do with wealth of this magnitude is to hand it over – so thoughtfully and effectively.” as possible.”
commitment to equality
Above all, she wants to work for equality “for women, girls and other disadvantaged groups in the United States and in the world. My donations will continue to be focused on those who face the highest barriers to equality.”
The qualified computer scientist with an MBA degree started at Microsoft in 1987 after an IBM human resources manager advised her in an interview because the career opportunities for women in the then young company were better than at IBM.
She developed various office assistant functions like Karl Klammer and managed the online travel agency Expedia in the founding phase when it was still part of Microsoft.
She met her future husband at a conference. The two married in 1964 and have three adult children. Last year, the split between the two became official, with Melinda adding her maiden name, French, to her name.
How exactly the assets of the two were divided is not known. Forbes magazine estimates her net worth at $6 billion.
More: Release clause for Melinda Gates: There are tensions in the Gates Foundation