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What is Melinda French Gates’ Net Worth?
Melinda French Gates, a prominent philanthropist and former Microsoft executive, has an estimated net worth of $13.3 billion. French Gates’s wealth stems from various sources, with a significant portion originating from her divorce settlement with Bill Gates in May 2021.
As part of this agreement, she received approximately half of the couple’s Microsoft-related fortune. This transfer included about 9% of the public holdings previously owned by Cascade Investments, Bill Gates’s holding company.
It is presumed that a similar proportion of Cascade’s closely held assets were also transferred to French Gates, although the exact terms of the divorce remain undisclosed.
In addition to her existing wealth, French Gates is set to receive an additional $12.5 billion from Bill Gates as part of their separation agreement. This substantial sum is intended to fund her future philanthropic endeavors, particularly those focused on women and families.
French Gates manages some of her investments and charitable work through her own organization, Pivotal Ventures. This investment company, founded in 2015, is dedicated to expanding opportunities and accelerating equality in the United States through high-impact investments, partnerships, and advocacy.
In 2010, French Gates joined The Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of her wealth to charitable causes during her lifetime or in her will.
Here’s the breakdown of Melinda French Gates’ net worth:
Name: | Melinda French Gates |
Net Worth: | $13.3 Billion |
Date of Birth: | August 15, 1964 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life
Melinda French Gates was born on August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in a middle-class family with her parents and three siblings. Her father, Raymond Joseph French Jr., worked as an aerospace engineer, while her mother, Elaine Agnes Amerland, was a homemaker.
From an early age, Melinda showed an aptitude for academics and technology. She attended St. Monica Catholic School, where she was the top student in her class.
At 14, she was introduced to computer science through an Apple II computer, which sparked her interest in programming and technology.
Career
Melinda French Gates’ career began at Microsoft in 1987, where she started as a product manager. Over her nine-year tenure at the company, she rose through the ranks to become the General Manager of Information Products.
During this time, she worked on developing various multimedia products, including Microsoft Publisher, Expedia, and Encarta. Her success at Microsoft not only provided her with valuable experience but also contributed to her initial wealth accumulation.
After leaving Microsoft in 1996 to focus on her family and philanthropic work, Melinda co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. Through her role as co-chair of the foundation and her own investment company, Pivotal Ventures (founded in 2015), Melinda has continued to build her wealth while focusing on global health, education, and women’s empowerment initiatives.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, established in 2000, has been a significant factor in Melinda French Gates’ net worth and philanthropic impact.
As co-chair, she has helped guide the foundation to become the world’s largest private charitable organization, with an endowment of approximately $50 billion. The foundation focuses on global health, education, and poverty reduction, distributing billions in grants annually.
Even after her divorce from Bill Gates, Melinda remains committed to the foundation’s work, though she has announced plans to eventually step down as co-chair.
Recognition and Accolades
Melinda French Gates’ philanthropic efforts and business acumen have earned her numerous accolades.
In 2013, she was appointed an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her philanthropic work.
In 2015, she and Bill Gates received India’s third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan.
In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded both Melinda and Bill the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
Personal Life
Melinda French Gates’ high-profile divorce from Bill Gates in 2021 had a significant impact on her net worth. As part of the divorce settlement, she received billions in assets, including shares of various companies. This settlement substantially increased her personal wealth, making her one of the world’s wealthiest women.
Despite the divorce, Melinda has maintained a cordial relationship with Bill for the sake of their shared philanthropic work.
Real Estate
While the exact details of Melinda French Gates’ property portfolio are not publicly disclosed, it is known that she owns several high-value properties. One of the most notable is a mansion in Medina, Washington, which she shared with Bill Gates during their marriage. The property, nicknamed “Xanadu 2.0,” is estimated to be worth over $130 million.
In addition, she reportedly owns properties in Florida and California. In 2023, it was reported that Melinda purchased a $9.25 million home in Seattle’s North Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.