Melinda French Gates (born Melinda Ann French on August 15, 1964) is a former Microsoft employee who was the product unit manager of Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Microsoft Encarta, and Microsoft Expedia. In 1994, she married Bill Gates, founder, Chairman, and former Chief Software Architect of Microsoft. They have three children, Jennifer Katharine Gates (b. 1996), Rory John Gates (b. 1999) and Phoebe Adele Gates (b. 2002).

Melinda was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where she was valedictorian of her class at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. She earned bachelor degrees in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and an MBA from Duke in 1987, and served as a member of the Duke University's Board of Trustees from 1996-2003. She is an alumna of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Today she also attends the Bilderberg Group and holds a seat on the boards of The Washington PostThe Washington Post Company (2005). The Washington Post Company - History & Leadership - Biography: Melinda French Gates. Retrieved March 6, 2006. and Drugstore.com.drugstore.com (2005). drugstore.com - Officers & Directors. Retrieved March 6, 2006.

Along with her husband, Melinda founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a charitable organization to which they have given more than US$24 billion. In December of 2005, she along with her husband Bill Gates and musician Bono were named by Time magazine as Persons of the Year. The Gateses received the "Spanish Nobel" prize - the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation - on May 4, 2006, in recognition of their world impact through charity giving.Bill and Melinda Gates named in Top 10 Persons of 2006, Retrieved May 9, 2006

References