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Melinda French Gates not only is an astute businesswoman, but likewise, she is a prolific philanthropist who with her ex-husband, Bill Gates, co-founded one of the largest philanthropic organizations on Earth – the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
French Gates is a quondam computer scientist, and after university worked as a marketing manager at Microsoft from 1987 to 1996, tasked with the growth of products like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, and Microsoft Encarta.
In 2021 after nearly three decades of marriage, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates announced that they were divorcing. French Gates has appeared on the Forbes list of the world’s 100 Most Powerful Women ten times. Most recently, she was ranked #5 on the 2021 list.
However, the question remains “What is Melinda French Gates’ net worth?”. Therefore, we here at Sophisticated Investor decided to compile all the publicly available data regarding French Gates. Below, we’ve provided the best approximations of the American businesswoman and philanthropist’s net worth.
Yet, it is essential to remember that all figures provided are simply estimates, and not necessarily conclusive. We sourced all of the publicly available assessments in order to determine the probable range of French Gates’ fortune.
 | Melinda French Gates |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 15, 1964 |
| Nationality | American |
| Title | Businesswoman, philanthropist |
| Companies Founded | N/A |
| Best Known For | Being a prolific philanthropist |
| Net Worth (USD) | $6.6 billion |
What Is Melinda French Gates’ Net Worth?
According to research, Melinda French Gates’ net worth is $6.6 billion USD. A 2022 Forbes profile cited this figure as her “real-time net worth”, thus it is likely correct. As per the divorce filings, the Forbes article stated that Bill Gates transferred $2.4 billion worth of Microsoft stock in May 2021.
Melinda French Gates Biography
Melinda French Gates was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. In her early teens, she developed an interest in computer science. In 1986, French Gates graduated with a double major in both computer science and economics from Duke University. A year later, she received her MBA from the institution’s prestigious, Fuqua School of Business.
In 1987, Melinda French Gates accepted a job offer at Microsoft as a marketing manager. That same year, she and then Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, began dating after meeting at a media event for the company in New York City. The couple was married in 1994 and have three children together. In May 2021, Bill and Melinda French Gates announced they were divorcing after 27 years of marriage.
Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. Today, it is considered to be one of the largest philanthropic organizations on the planet with a foundation trust endowment of $49.9 billion. The former couple has retained their positions as co-chairs of the Gates Foundation.
For her prolific work as a philanthropist, in 2016 Barak Obama awarded Melinda French Gates (along with then-husband Bill) the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian honor in the United States. Likewise, she is the recipient of the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur (National Order of the Legion of Honour), the highest civilian and military honor bestowed in France.
How Did Melinda French Gates Build Her Wealth?
Melinda French Gates’ wealth stems from her involvement with Microsoft during her 27-year marriage to the company’s co-founder, Bill Gates. As per the particulars of the divorce settlement in May 2021, according to filings Bill Gates transferred $5.7 billion worth of stocks to French Gates, in addition to other undisclosed assets.
How Is Melinda French Gates’ Net-Worth Calculated?
In essence, Melinda French Gates’ net worth is calculated with assets subtracted by her liabilities. According to filings from the 2021 divorce settlement with Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, she was given billions of dollars worth of stock, including shares in Microsoft.
Who Else Invests Like Melinda French Gates?
Not every investor invests in the same manner. To compare investors like Melinda French Gates, have a look at these other investor profiles:
Want to Invest Like Melinda French Gates?
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Savvy investors know that a diversified portfolio that appreciates in value on a tax-deferred or tax-free basis is a smart choice. Build your retirement nest egg by checking out our reviews for Precious Metals IRAs, as well as the Top 5 Crypto IRA companies to get a better understanding of this space.
