Melinda French Gates studied computer science and economics and completed an MBA before joining a tech start-up called Microsoft, in 1987. She rose through the ranks to become Manager of Information Products and married the boss in 1994. His name was Bill Gates.

Together, the couple founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, where, for more than two decades, she set the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropic organisation. Today, a divorced French Gates heads up Pivotal, which works to advance women’s power and influence in the U.S. and around the world.

Along the way, she has raised three children and written two bestselling books - The Moment of Lift and her latest, The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward.

It is an astonishing journey: from the normality of a middle-class childhood to becoming one of the wealthiest women in the world and one of our most influential philanthropists.

French Gates joins me for an open conversation about her divorce, ensuring her children never became spoiled, being strict about smartphones and surviving the death of a friend. Plus: the importance of empathy in the workplace and whether we should be scared of AI.

Elizabeth and Melinda answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Intro

01:50 Philanthropy and Personal Growth

03:49 Reflections on Grief and Friendship

14:41 Parenting Challenges and Lessons

23:26 Cultural Context in Philanthropy

23:39 Vaccine Distribution Challenges

25:19 Vaccine Shortage and Initial Mistakes

25:39 Treadle Pumps and Cultural Missteps

26:45 Learning from Failures

28:58 Empathy as a Superpower

30:13 Personal Anecdotes and Relationships

32:03 The Power of Friendship

36:33 Microsoft Bob and Technological Failures

39:55 Reflections on AI and Personal Growth

Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com 

I have an upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for my new novel One of Us. Full show details here: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day

Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan  

Studio & Sound Engineer: Matias Torres

Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali

Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.  

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