Seattle, Washington – Melinda French Gates made a pivotal decision in the 1980s that shaped the course of her career and personal life, as revealed in a recent interview with LinkedIn News. Having received a job offer from IBM after completing two summer internships with the company, French Gates was faced with a choice that would define her future. A conversation with a hiring manager ultimately led her to join Microsoft, setting her on a path that would eventually include leading the tech giant’s information products division and meeting her now ex-husband, Bill Gates.
After graduating from Duke University’s business school in 1987, French Gates took on the role of product manager at Microsoft. Despite the uncertainty of moving to the West Coast and starting fresh in Seattle, she was drawn to the innovative work being done at the small company, Microsoft. Her time at the company spanned nearly a decade, during which she climbed the ranks to become a general manager.
In 1994, French Gates married Bill Gates, and together they co-founded the Gates Foundation in 2000. Their philanthropic efforts have made a significant impact globally, but in May of this year, French Gates announced her departure from the foundation. She shared her reasons for stepping down in an op-ed in The New York Times, emphasizing the importance of setting one’s own agenda in life.
Since leaving the Gates Foundation, French Gates has focused on her investment and incubation firm, Pivotal Ventures, which now handles the majority of her giving efforts. Despite the end of her marriage to Bill Gates in 2021 after 27 years, French Gates continues her work in philanthropy and advocacy, using her platform to drive positive change in the world.
Throughout her journey from IBM to Microsoft to the Gates Foundation and beyond, Melinda French Gates has remained committed to making a difference and shaping her own path in life. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of choices and the impact they can have on one’s future.