Melinda Gates Net Worth

Table: Melinda Gates Net Worth

What is Melinda Gates’ Net Worth?

Melinda Gates, an American businesswoman and philanthropist, has a net worth of $12 billion. She is best known for being formerly married to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Melinda, alongside her ex-husband, is recognized as one of the most influential philanthropists in history. Together, they co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Highlights

– Melinda Gates’ net worth is $12 billion.
– She co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
– She was married to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for 27 years.
– The divorce settlement between Bill and Melinda Gates is one of the largest in history.

Early Life

Melinda Gates, born Melinda Ann French on August 15, 1964, hails from Dallas, Texas. She grew up as the second of four children in a family with an aerospace engineer father and a homemaker mother. Melinda’s father introduced her to the Apple II computer, igniting her interest in computer games and programming. She attended St. Monica Catholic School and Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1982. Melinda went on to earn a B.S. in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986, followed by an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in the subsequent year. During her college years, she was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Career

Melinda Gates’ career began with tutoring children in computer programming and mathematics. After her graduation, she joined Microsoft, where she met Bill Gates, whom she later married in 1994. Melinda worked as a marketing manager at Microsoft and played a pivotal role in the development of various multimedia products. These products included Cinemania, Encarta, Publisher, Money, Works, and Word. She also contributed to the development of Expedia, which ultimately became a prominent travel booking site. In the early ’90s, Melinda held the position of General Manager of Information Products at Microsoft before leaving the company to focus on starting a family.

Throughout her career, Gates has held positions such as a member of Duke University’s Board of Trustees, a member of The Washington Post’s Board of Directors, and a board member at drugstore.com. Additionally, she chaired The Campaign For Children, a program aimed at expanding facilities and funding uncompensated care at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Personal Life

Melinda Gates married Bill Gates in a private ceremony in Lanai, Hawaii, in 1994. The couple has three children: Jennifer, Phoebe, and Rory Gates.

Net Worth Over Time

Melinda Gates’ net worth has fluctuated over the years due to various factors, including her divorce settlement with Bill Gates, philanthropic efforts, and investments. As of now, her net worth stands at $12 billion.

Components of Net Worth

Melinda Gates’ net worth primarily stems from her ownership of shares in companies previously held by Gates’ investment vehicle, Cascade Investments. She received at least $10 billion worth of these shares as part of her divorce settlement. It’s worth noting that a significant portion of the couple’s combined net worth had already been allocated to their philanthropic endeavors through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation, established in 2000, holds $46.8 billion in assets and focuses on reducing extreme poverty, improving education, and enhancing healthcare worldwide. Melinda and Bill Gates have donated several billions of dollars to the foundation over the years.

In conclusion, Melinda Gates’ net worth of $12 billion stems from her shares in various companies and her involvement in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her philanthropic efforts and contributions to the tech industry have solidified her position as a prominent figure in both business and charitable endeavors.

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