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Gates joined Microsoft in 1987, where she participated in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products including [[Microsoft Publisher|Publisher]], [[Microsoft Bob]], [[Encarta]], and [[Expedia]]. In 1996, Gates left Microsoft to raise her family. Her last position was Microsoft’s General Manager of Information Products.
Gates joined Microsoft in 1987, where she participated in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products including [[Microsoft Publisher|Publisher]], [[Microsoft Bob]], [[Encarta]], and [[Expedia]]. In 1996, Gates left Microsoft to raise her family. Her last position was Microsoft’s General Manager of Information Products.


She met Bill Gates in 1987 at a Microsoft press event in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3428721.stm |title=Profile: Bill Gates | work=BBC News |accessdate=2007-04-26 |date=2004-01-26}}</ref> She married him on January 1, 1994 in a private ceremony in [[Lanai]], [[Hawaii]]. They have three children.
She met Bill Gates in 1987 at a Microsoft press event in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3428721.stm |title=Profile: Bill Gates | work=BBC News |accessdate=2007-04-26 |date=2004-01-26}}</ref> She married him on January 1, 1994 in a private ceremony in [[Lanai]], [[Hawaii]]. They have three children: daughters Jennifer Katharine Gates (born 1996) and Phoebe Adele Gates (born 2002) and son Rory John Gates (born 1999).


Gates served as a member of Duke University's board of trustees from 1996 to 2003.<ref>[http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/extaff/news/publications/winter96/board.htm Gates Joins Trustees]</ref> Gates attends [[Bilderberg Group]] conferences and holds a seat on the board of directors of the Washington Post company.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Biography: Melinda French Gates | url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=62487&p=IROL-govHistBioDirectors&t=Regular&id=123743& | publisher=The Washington Post Company | year=2007 | accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> She retired from the board of [[Drugstore.com]] in August 2006 to spend more time working for the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Officers and Directors | url=http://investor.shareholder.com/drugstore/management.cfm | publisher=Drugstore.com | year=2005 | archivedate=2006-02-07 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060207063601/http://investor.shareholder.com/drugstore/management.cfm | accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref>
Gates served as a member of Duke University's board of trustees from 1996 to 2003.<ref>[http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/extaff/news/publications/winter96/board.htm Gates Joins Trustees]</ref> Gates attends [[Bilderberg Group]] conferences and holds a seat on the board of directors of the Washington Post company.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Biography: Melinda French Gates | url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=62487&p=IROL-govHistBioDirectors&t=Regular&id=123743& | publisher=The Washington Post Company | year=2007 | accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> She retired from the board of [[Drugstore.com]] in August 2006 to spend more time working for the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Officers and Directors | url=http://investor.shareholder.com/drugstore/management.cfm | publisher=Drugstore.com | year=2005 | archivedate=2006-02-07 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060207063601/http://investor.shareholder.com/drugstore/management.cfm | accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref>

Revision as of 21:55, 12 May 2010

Melinda Gates
Gates at the World Economic Forum, 2009
Born (1964-08-15) August 15, 1964 (age 60)
Dallas, Texas, USA
Occupation(s)Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
SpouseBill Gates (1994-present)
Children3
WebsiteBill and Melinda Gates Foundation Home Page

Melinda French Gates (born Melinda Ann French; August 15, 1964)[1] is an American philanthropist. She is the co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a former unit manager for several Microsoft products such as Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Encarta, and Expedia. In 1994, she married Bill Gates, founder, chairman, and former chief software architect of Microsoft.

Life and career

Melinda Gates was born and raised in Dallas, Texas by Raymond Joseph French, Jr., an engineer, and his wife Elaine Agnes Amerland, a homemaker. Gates attended St. Monica Catholic School and was a standout in her class. She was valedictorian of her class at Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 1982. She earned a bachelor degree in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987. She is an alumna of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Gates joined Microsoft in 1987, where she participated in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products including Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Encarta, and Expedia. In 1996, Gates left Microsoft to raise her family. Her last position was Microsoft’s General Manager of Information Products.

She met Bill Gates in 1987 at a Microsoft press event in Manhattan.[2] She married him on January 1, 1994 in a private ceremony in Lanai, Hawaii. They have three children: daughters Jennifer Katharine Gates (born 1996) and Phoebe Adele Gates (born 2002) and son Rory John Gates (born 1999).

Gates served as a member of Duke University's board of trustees from 1996 to 2003.[3] Gates attends Bilderberg Group conferences and holds a seat on the board of directors of the Washington Post company.[4] She retired from the board of Drugstore.com in August 2006 to spend more time working for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.[5]

The Gates have donated more than US$24 billion to the Foundation.[6]

Awards and recognition

In December 2005, she and her husband, along with musician Bono, were named by Time as Persons of the Year. The Gates couple received the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation on May 4, 2006 in recognition of their world impact through charitable giving.[7]

She was ranked #40 in Forbes magazine list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in 2008,[8] #24 in 2007,[9] and #12 in 2006.[10]

In November 2006, she and her husband were awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle for their philanthropic work around the world in the areas of health and education, particularly in Mexico, and specifically in the program "Un país de lectores".

Melinda and Bill Gates, June 2009.

On 12 June 2009 Melinda and Bill Gates received honorary degrees from the University of Cambridge. Their benefaction of $210 million in 2000 set up the Gates Cambridge Trust, which funds postgraduate scholars from outside the UK to study at the University.

Melinda Gates has also donated over 10 million dollars to her high school Ursuline Academy of Dallas. She is one of the major donors of their Facing the Future Campaign and was honored in their dedication ceremony on May 7, 2010.

References

  1. ^ Texas Births, 1926-1995
  2. ^ "Profile: Bill Gates". BBC News. 2004-01-26. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  3. ^ Gates Joins Trustees
  4. ^ "Biography: Melinda French Gates". The Washington Post Company. 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  5. ^ "Officers and Directors". Drugstore.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 2006-02-07. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  6. ^ Melinda Gates on Charlie Rose.com
  7. ^ Jason Cowley (22 May 2006). "Heroes of Our time: The Top 50". New Statesman. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  8. ^ #40 Melinda Gates - Forbes.com
  9. ^ #24 Melinda Gates - Forbes.com
  10. ^ #12 Melinda Gates - Forbes.com
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