Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates is the wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. She is best known for her philanthropic work as the co-founder of the ‘Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.’ She completed her bachelor’s degree in economics and computer science from the Duke University and pursued MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Beta Rho Chapter. After completing her education, she joined Microsoft and was associated with several developmental projects in multimedia before her elevation as the General Manager of Information Products. Melinda met Bill Gates while working for Microsoft at a PC trade show in Manhattan and went on to date him for six years before they got married in a private ceremony held at Lanai, Hawaii. She left her job with Microsoft after she had her first child as she need time to raise her children. She was touched by the poverty and suffering in Africa and other backward regions while touring with her husband, and they both decided to do something for better health and education of the poor and needy. She has received several honorary awards and degrees, and has figured on the Forbes’ list of ‘one of the most powerful women in the world.’