Latest news with #MelindaFrenchGates
Axios
a day ago
- Health
- Axios
Gates pledges most of his wealth to health, education services in Africa
Bill Gates will spend most of his wealth on improving health and education services in Africa over the next 20 years, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder pledged Monday. The big picture: He announced last month plans to spend more than $200 billion through the Gates Foundation that he established with ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, 25 years ago until "virtually all" of the fortune of the former world's richest man has gone and then close the Seattle-based philanthropic organization on Dec. 31, 2045. Driving the news: Gates said during an address at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, he wanted to use the vast majority of the money to help "address challenges" in Africa. "By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity — and that path is an exciting thing to be part of," the 69-year-old said.
News24
a day ago
- Business
- News24
Africa to get most of Bill Gates' $200bn in next 20 years
For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. Africa is set to be the largest beneficiary of the $200 billion (R3.6 trillion) that the Gates Foundation plans to give away over the next two decades, co-founder Bill Gates said. 'The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,' he told an African Union gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, according to an emailed statement from his foundation. The organisation said last month that it plans to give away the money over 20 years before shutting down in 2045. That implies Gates — currently the fifth-richest person in the world — plans to transfer many billions to his foundation as part of a goal to give away 99% of his wealth. He's currently worth about $175 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The foundation has disbursed more than $100 billion since it was co-founded by Gates and Melinda French Gates in 2000. Originally, the foundation was set to close 20 years after the Microsoft co-founder's death.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Melinda French Gates almost didn't join Bill Gates' Microsoft— Until THIS unexpected comment changed her life forever
File photo: Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates Tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates might have divorced and gone their separate ways, but anecdotes from their personal lives continues to gain people's attention and make the headlines. It is noted that when Melinda French Gates joined Bill Gates' Microsoft back in the 1980s, the tech company was just a "little" company. So, what made Melinda take up a job at Microsoft back then, a decision through which she met her now ex-husband Bill Gates and which changed her life forever? Talking about this, Melinda revealed in an interview with LinkedIn News earlier this year that it was an unexpected comment that made her changed her mind-- and the rest, as they say, is history! When Melinda chose to join Bill Gates' "little company" Microsoft Things could have turned out very differently for Melinda French Gates— if not for one unexpected piece of advice that changed the course of her life. Back in the 1980s, fresh out of Duke University's business school, Melinda had just wrapped up two internships at IBM and received a promising job offer from the tech giant. But a conversation with her hiring manager took an unexpected turn. During the interview, the manager asked Melinda if she was ready to accept the offer. Melinda replied that she had one last interview—with a small, relatively unknown company at the time called Microsoft. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo "'Well, I have one more company to go interview. This little company, Microsoft. It was tiny,'' Melinda recalled saying to her then manager at IBM. 'And she said, 'If they give you an offer, you should take it.' And it dumbfounded me,' Melinda French Gates added. T hat advice, coming from someone who was supposed to hire her, left Melinda stunned. But she took it to heart— and that decision would shape her entire future. Melinda joined Microsoft in 1987 as a product manager. Over the next decade, she climbed the ranks to become the general manager of information products at what would become one of the most valuable companies in the world. But it wasn't just her career that flourished at Microsoft. It's also where she met Bill Gates. The duo got married in 1994, co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, and went on to become one of the most influential philanthropic couples in history before separating in 2021 after 27 years of marriage and having three children together. Looking back, Melinda often reminds others to take bold chances in their careers. 'You can pivot. You can change. You can go in a whole new direction,' she says. One small nudge from a hiring manager— one simple sentence— was all it took to change everything. Melinda Gates Calls Out Bill-Epstein Connection, 'Evil Personified' Shocker in New Memoir One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
IOL News
20-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Confidence reimagined: My Journey with Roxie Nafousi
Confidence is your roadmap to knowing your worth and living unapologetically. Patterns kept repeating. Old ways of thinking, self-doubt, and that nagging voice of low self-esteem seemed stuck on a loop in my mind. I had just put down The Next Day by Melinda French Gates – a book full of inspiration and forward momentum – when I picked up Roxie Nafousi's Confidence. The title itself felt like a play on words, almost a gentle nudge: confidence isn't a destination, but a continuous process, a daily choice to rise. From the very first pages, Confidence felt less like a book and more like a coaching session with a wise, compassionate friend who truly understands the struggle of feeling 'not enough.' Roxie's approach is refreshingly grounded. She shatters the myth that confidence must be loud or flashy, instead inviting us to cultivate a steady, inner knowing rooted in self-respect – not external validation. As she writes, 'True confidence is not about being the loudest in the room; it's about being the most comfortable in your own skin.' Three powerful takeaways stood out for me: the emphasis on confidence being quiet and grounded, the necessity of breaking the comparison cycle, and the realisation that confidence is a daily practice. These aren't just nice ideas; they're actionable principles that transform your mindset. Roxie's framework is built around eight practical steps that guide you through this transformation: Master Your Thoughts – Become aware of and shift negative self-talk. Act with Intention – Make choices aligned with your values, not fear. Stop Trying to Be Liked by Everybody – Release the need for external approval. Break Free from Comparison – Celebrate your unique journey. Celebrate Yourself – Practice self-appreciation and accept compliments. Do Hard Things – Build resilience by stepping outside your comfort zone. Be of Service to Others – Connect and find value through helping. Show Up as Your Best Self – Commit to consistent growth and authenticity. What struck me most was how she addresses the toxic cycle of comparison, especially in our social media-saturated world. Roxie doesn't just tell you to stop comparing; she offers practical exercises that feel doable, like gentle daily rituals to retrain your brain. This aligns beautifully with the neuroscience insights of Tara Swart, whom Roxie references, showing how our brains can literally be rewired through intention and practice. Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, feeling a pang of envy, and then spiralling into self-doubt? Roxie gets it, and she provides real tools to disrupt that pattern. 'Comparison is the thief of joy,' she reminds us, 'but it's also a habit we can unlearn.' I also appreciated the integration of trauma-informed perspectives, echoing the work of Gabor Maté. Roxie acknowledges that many of us carry deep wounds that fuel low self-esteem and people-pleasing behaviours. Her emphasis on self-compassion and breaking free from these patterns feels both healing and empowering. I remember her sharing her vulnerability regarding low self-esteem stemming from childhood insecurities and feeling like an outsider. Have you found yourself feeling that way? It made her advice feel so authentic. 'Healing begins when we stop fighting ourselves and start embracing our stories with kindness,' she writes. One of the most refreshing aspects is Roxie's reminder that confidence grows not just from within but through connection and service to others. She highlights that 'being of service to others' can surprisingly boost your own confidence by reminding you of your value in meaningful ways. This outward focus adds richness and depth to the journey, countering the common notion that confidence is purely self-focused. The book was a reminder for me, as I've delved into this work before, and I appreciated revisiting these concepts with fresh eyes. It reinforced the importance of daily intentionality and self-compassion in building confidence. Roxie's practical exercises and compassionate tone make this more than just a read-it-once book – it's a guide to return to whenever those old patterns threaten to resurface. Even so, I won't pretend the journey is easy. There were moments when old doubts crept back in, reminding me that confidence is a lifelong practice, not a quick fix. Roxie's openness about her own struggles made me feel less alone in those moments and encouraged me to keep showing up for myself. 'Confidence is not the absence of fear,' she says, 'but the courage to move forward despite it.' I found myself resonating deeply with her call to 'celebrate yourself' - something I had long neglected. Learning to accept compliments without deflecting them felt revolutionary. It's a simple but profound step toward honouring your worth. For me, Roxie's insights were the perfect companions to Melinda French Gates' call to action—deeply personal invitations to rise, every day, in my own quiet power. This book wasn't just about confidence; it was about honoring my own path and showing up fully, even when no one is watching. Thank you, Roxie, for this gift * Confidence by Roxie Nafousi can be obtained at Exclusive Books.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Forbes Daily: U.S. Deal With China Slashes Tariffs Temporarily
Bill Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, are America's second-biggest philanthropists after Warren Buffet and his family. But how rich would they be if they'd never given away a dime? Forbes calculated that they'd be worth $1.5 trillion combined. Melinda would be worth an estimated $300 billion, and Bill would likely be the world's first trillionaire, more than triple the net worth of the current richest individual in the world, Elon Musk. Bill Gates recently criticized Musk and the Trump Administration's cuts to foreign aid programs, telling Forbes that HIV infections and deaths are increasing for the first time in this century as a result. But while Bill and Melinda may not be quite as wealthy as Musk, Jeff Bezos or Mark Zuckerberg, the estimated $47.7 billion the pair have donated to the Gates Foundation have gone a long way towards global poverty and health initiatives. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a news conference in Geneva on May 12, 2025. The U.S. and China on Monday announced they would significantly cut back tariffs placed on each other's goods for at least 90 days as both sides plan to continue negotiations on a trade deal. The total U.S. levy on Chinese goods will drop from 145% to 30%, and the move triggered a surge in U.S. stock futures and global markets. MORE: Even as the Trump Administration negotiates with more countries, the president intends to keep a baseline 10% tariff in place on all imported goods, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday. Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs charged different rates based on the U.S.' trade imbalances with each country—a method many economists criticized as 'incredibly stupid.' AI study aid chatbots are supposed to help kids with homework questions, but in test conversations with Forbes they did quite a bit more, including providing detailed recipes for date rape drugs and 'pickup artistry' advice. Forbes' conversations with bots from KnowUnity and CourseHero raise sharp questions about whether they could endanger their teen users. President Donald Trump, worth $5.4 billion, signaled he was 'OK' with raising taxes on the wealthy to pay for other cuts in his signature economic package. In a phone call with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Trump reportedly suggested taxing individuals making more than $2.5 million per year and couples earning above $5 million at a rate of 39.6%. Such a move could raise $67.3 billion over the next 10 years, according to a preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Donald Trump Jr. is starting a new private club called Executive Branch, and it seems to have a much smarter business plan than the Trump Hotel, which served as the de facto MAGA lounge in President Trump's first term, writes Forbes' Dan Alexander. Key to Trump Jr.'s plan is a membership structure, which will allow the club to generate big fees up front. Trump advisor Stephen Miller told reporters Friday that the administration is 'actively looking at' suspending the writ of habeas corpus to more easily detain migrants, a move that would deny immigrants any recourse to challenge their detention and seek release. The writ of habeas corpus has only previously been suspended four times in U.S. history, and it's commonly believed that only Congress can issue the suspension, meaning such a move would likely face legal challenges. Newark Airport's air traffic control woes continued this weekend with a 45-minute ground stop Sunday morning due to audio issues, as well as an additional telecommunications outage Friday morning. The FAA announced a plan last week to upgrade its communication system, but U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Sunday's Meet The Press said Newark '100%' needs to scale back its operations. 'We have less controllers working the Newark airspace right now. And, you know, we're having these… these glitches in the system. So we slow it down and keep people safe, that's what we do.' When the Covid-19 pandemic emptied sports stadiums, team owners were left to cover skyrocketing operating losses. 'You had to fasten your seatbelt and know that in the short run you're going to take a financial hit,' says Tom Werner, the billionaire chairman of Fenway Sports Group, which owns MLB's Red Sox, the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and the Premier League's Liverpool FC. The decline didn't extend to team values, however—even in the near term. Franchises in MLB (3% on average), the NBA (13%) and the NFL (14%) continued to appreciate from 2020 to 2021, with the kind of annual growth that has given rise to the perception that sports teams are 'recession proof.' Werner rejects that terminology, but at the same time, team values in the four major North American leagues have increased roughly 2,000% on average since Forbes started valuing franchises in 1998, more than double the S&P 500's growth over the same period. And data going back even further shows sports teams have been remarkably resilient during broader economic downturns. Now, investors from all walks are facing another year of uncertainty prompted by President Donald Trump's heavy-handed tariff policies, with the S&P 500 index down 4% so far in 2025 and some economists pegging the chances of the U.S. entering a recession this year as a coin flip. But sports owners are better positioned than almost anyone to weather the storm. 'Obviously you need to have eggs on the table,' Werner says, 'but people I think are still going to go to their home games, and certainly they're going to be watching on television.' WHY IT MATTERS 'One reason the rich have gotten so much richer in the last couple decades is that these sports teams have generally been unscathed by the crises that have dragged down simple stock portfolios and other assets,' says Forbes staff writer Hank Tucker. 'We've seen more Wall Street billionaires and institutional investors get into sports ownership in recent years, drawn by the promise of steady returns as much as the excitement of winning championships. While sports ownership is out of reach for most Americans, it's a trend that will probably continue as long as they're willing to keep paying higher prices for tickets or streaming services to pad these owners' checkbooks.' MORE The World's Most Profitable Sports Teams 2025 Shares of Expedia fell after the company reported weaker-than-expected travel demand into and within the U.S. It follows the warnings of several major airlines, hotels and other travel firms: 3%: The growth in Expedia's revenue in the first quarter at the lower end of its forecast, as the company missed its sales target Two-thirds: The share of Expedia's business that comes from the U.S. 7%: The decline in Expedia's stock Friday It's never too early to start saving for retirement—even if it's just a small amount to establish the habit. Make sure to use a tax-advantaged account, like a 401(k) or 403 (b), which will shelter investment earnings from taxes as your savings grow. Your employer may match your contributions, adding even more to your savings. Though it depends on how much you can afford, a typical amount to set aside is 10% to 15% of your regular income. The Social Security Administration announced the most popular baby names for 2024. Which name topped the list for boys? A. Oliver B. William C. Liam D. Noah Check your answer.
