Melinda French Gates describes the Gates Foundation's

Melinda French Gates describes the Gates Foundation's dedication to investing its entire $200 billion in global health initiatives by 2045 as "fantastic," emphasizing that "the vast majority of these resources are intended to benefit society." In an interview with Fortune, Gates expressed her intention to establish a stronger agenda within the United States. 

Recent news includes Bumble's new hires amidst challenging earnings, while Penny Pritzker is caught up in the Harvard-Trump controversy. Fortune's Alexa Mikhail spoke with Melinda French Gates about significant developments at the Gates Foundation. Over the past few months, I've collaborated with Geoff Colvin, Fortune's Senior Editor at Large, on a feature celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Gates Foundation. 

This morning, we unveiled that, having spent $100 billion in its first 25 years, the foundation plans to double this investment to $200 billion over the next two decades. The goal is to combat the world's most lethal diseases, lower maternal and child mortality rates, and alleviate poverty. Following this extensive commitment, the foundation will spend its final dollar and close its doors in 2045—an unprecedented strategy in the philanthropic sector. To gain a deeper understanding of the implications of this decision, Colvin and I interviewed both Gateses, in addition to over 30 researchers, grantees, and outside experts. 
I also had the opportunity to visit Gates-funded programs in South Africa, where I witnessed initiatives addressing the causes behind five million child deaths before the age of five, providing HIV prevention to young adults, and engaging participants in a Phase III trial for what could be the first new tuberculosis vaccine in a century. Since the early 2000s, Melinda French Gates has been instrumental in advancing global health. She co-founded and co-chaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for over two decades until her departure in 2024, following her divorce from Bill Gates. 
"It's remarkable to consider the strides that have been made," French Gates reflected during our February discussion in her Kirkland, Washington office, celebrating the foundation's 25th year. Throughout her tenure, she traveled globally to understand the needs of children and families, advocating for increasing vaccine access in low- and middle-income countries and emphasizing the importance of family planning and contraceptives as key poverty alleviation tools. She has also taken philanthropic guidance from Warren Buffett, who contributed considerably to the foundation. Now looking from the outside, Gates voiced her support for the foundation's ambitious $200 billion initiative. "I think it's a fantastic decision," she stated, adding that the intent has always been for "the vast majority of those resources to return to society.

" This announcement coincides with reports indicating that investments in gender-focused funds in Africa are struggling due to President Trump's stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Regarding her current endeavors, French Gates is more determined than ever to formulate a significant agenda in the U.S. After launching Pivotal Ventures in 2015 to advance gender equality domestically, she is dedicating all her resources to this mission. In her recent memoir, she reflects on her work and her divorce. "I've witnessed the rollbacks happening in this country, and I know that only 2% of philanthropic funds go to organizations addressing gender issues," she pointed out. 
"This is my moment to step in...I have the ability to leverage every tool at my disposal." Last year, French Gates committed $1 billion to support individuals and organizations promoting gender equality and empowering women. "Turning 60 has definitely influenced my perspective. My mom always said you become more opinionated, maybe because time feels limited," she added with a laugh. 

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What has she become more opinionated about? "I want my granddaughter to inherit a better world than what we have today. Right now, she has fewer rights than I did as a child, and that's unacceptable," she remarked. "While I will continue international grant making, most of my focus will be within the United States." Moreover, French Gates has a strong message for the nation's wealthiest individuals about the need—and moral obligation—to give back. "As a billionaire in the United States, you have benefited from this country. You've enjoyed good infrastructure and healthcare," she explained. "People in other regions lack those advantages, and thus, we have a responsibility to give back to society in various ways. Alex Mikhail report.