Melinda French Gates, with a lifetime giving of $52.6 billion according to Forbes data as of February 2026, has focused her donations on nonprofits addressing global health and development, particularly initiatives supporting women and girls. In a recent move, she has announced an additional $215 million in funding to Washington-based Pivotal Philanthropies, aimed at advancing women's reproductive and midlife health.
French Gates on Signaling to Fellow Billionaires
In an interview with Forbes, French Gates explained that through her donations, she is 'trying to send a signal' and daring her fellow billionaires to follow suit. 'I'm also trying to send a signal that this is a space that really has not been focused on very much,' she said when asked why now was the right moment to expand women's health, including midlife and menopause, within her portfolio.
Challenges and Bold Moves
Responding to a question about specific changes over the past year, French Gates noted: 'I put more money into the National Women's Law Center. I put more money than I would have into the Center for Reproductive Rights. It's gotten harder for them to do their work, because other philanthropists have also gotten afraid of doing that work.' She added, 'I've got to keep being bold and keep showing that, no, we can move forward and we should move forward.'
Fear Among Philanthropists
When asked about the source of fear among other philanthropists, French Gates stated: 'Because of the administration. They're causing chaos and fear. Some of the spirit at the top is purposeful to push women back in society. I'm trying to demonstrate to philanthropists: These are spaces we should be moving forward in. Hopefully others will follow.'
Disappointment with Fellow Billionaires
During the Forbes interview, French Gates was asked if she is disappointed in her fellow billionaires. She replied: 'Depends on which one you ask me about. Anybody who is a billionaire in the United States right now benefited from growing up in the United States or coming to the United States. We have, by and large, good roads. By and large, you can get some quality of an education. By and large, you can get some quality of health care. We benefit from this country.'
She emphasized: 'My belief is, to whom much is given, much is expected. We should be giving back to society. Some of these businesses that have turned into gigantic businesses, you couldn't start those businesses in Sudan, for all the reasons you and I can name.'
French Gates also commented on wealth display: 'I've never thought it's good for billionaires to be flashy about their wealth, like we've seen that over time at all levels of wealth. You see it with people who have a million dollars, you see it with people who have $100,000. Flashing that around, that doesn't do anybody any good. Fine, buy some nice things for yourself, but you don't have to be flashy about it.'
