Melinda French Gates is one of the most powerful woman in philanthropy, as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In early May 2021, Bill and Melinda Gates announced they were getting divorced but will still remain co-chairs of the foundation.
Melinda also became a billionaire on her own after Bill Gates transferred her $2.4 billion worth of stock in early May 2021, according to filings.
As part of the foundation's mission to help all people lead healthy, productive lives, she has devoted much of her work to women's and girls' rights.
In her next chapter, Gates' mission is to close the funding gap for female founders, through her investment and incubation company, Pivotal Ventures.