Melinda French Gates, yes, Bill Gates’ ex-wife, has confirmed that she is leaving the foundation she founded with him more than 25 years ago. Of course, this news has shaken the world. More than 78 billion dollars have been donated during this time, the organization has been a global reference. It might seem that her departure was just something personal after the divorce, but it is a “strategic” change, because she wants to focus all her efforts on defending women’s rights, especially after the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs Wade.
After 25 years leading the foundation, Melinda sums it up as “gratitude,” a simple word, but so powerful and with so much inside.
“Before ending my last day at the foundation, I wanted to thank each one of you for the role you played during my time here and for all the work we did together”.
12.5 billion for women
Melinda Gates did not leave empty-handed, obviously not. Her departure came with the decision to allocate 12.5 billion dollars to a new foundation focused on projects that support women around the world. This gesture not only demonstrates her commitment to equality, but also marks a new direction in her career.
What was the Roe vs. Wade case?
The Roe vs. Wade case was a historic decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 that recognized women’s right to abortion as part of their right to privacy. For almost 50 years it guaranteed access to abortion across the country, until in 2022 it was revoked, leaving regulation in the hands of each state.
Why gratitude?
She could have said goodbye with anger, with sadness, or with any bitter emotion. But no. On her last day, Melinda Gates spoke about many things: how hard it was to get to that point, the pride she feels, the people she worked with, and the hope she has in what is coming. But if she had to stay with only one word, she chose “gratitude”
It is incredible how someone who has gone through such a high-profile divorce, who has been in the public eye so many times, has chosen to be grateful instead of resentful. It is a way of understanding life and it is beautiful.
Leadership based on perspective
For many, gratitude may sound like something “soft” or corny, but in reality it is the opposite, and in Melinda’s case, it is a very concrete way of being a leader. A leader who chooses to be grateful instead of resentful transforms not only their way of seeing the world, but also that of those around them. Gates made it clear by recognizing that working with such a brilliant and committed team for 25 years had been a gift! You don’t have to deny the bumps or pretend that everything was perfect, just value what has been lived even when it has been difficult.
And now?
Melinda begins a more personal stage, more focused on something specific: the women of the world and their rights as women. It is not a change of strategy, it is making sure that women can be more protected and represented, at a time in life when our rights are not guaranteed even in countries as advanced as ours.
The word with which Melinda French Gates said goodbye teaches us something that anyone (even the most powerful) can apply: we cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we face it, and when things shake or become more complicated, we must always choose kindness and gratitude! Good luck now, Melinda!