Melinda French Gates has made headlines with her announcement of stepping down from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ending a prominent philanthropic partnership. Her resignation, scheduled for June 7, marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in the foundation's history. Notably, Warren Buffett once remarked that the foundation would be losing its more astute half with French Gates' departure.
French Gates intends to continue her philanthropic endeavors independently, focusing on issues impacting women and girls globally. Her journey into philanthropy began in 1997 when she, along with her then-husband Bill Gates, co-founded the Gates Library Foundation. Their aim was to provide free internet access in US public libraries. This initiative laid the foundation for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, formally established in 2000, which primarily focuses on global health, science, and education.
During her tenure, the foundation has made significant strides in combating diseases such as AIDS, polio, and malaria, as well as addressing malnutrition and promoting women's access to contraceptives. French Gates' strategic approach has been to target the most pressing inequities, directing resources where they can have the greatest impact.
In addition to her work at the foundation, French Gates has played a crucial role in promoting philanthropy globally. She was instrumental in creating The Giving Pledge in 2010, a commitment by the world's wealthiest individuals to donate a majority of their wealth to charitable causes.
In recent years, French Gates has expanded her focus to include gender equality, founding Pivotal Ventures in 2015. This organization seeks to advance equality in the United States through investments, partnerships, and advocacy.
French Gates' decision to step down from the foundation follows her divorce from Bill Gates in 2021. While she will no longer be involved in the foundation's work, French Gates has hinted at new directions ahead, promising to share more details soon.