Take it from me: Spending an hour with Melinda French Gates will restore at least an iota of your faith in humanity. The billionaire philanthropist, investor, and longtime advocate for women’s and girls’ rights is the rare example of an über-wealthy American who takes seriously the responsibility that their wealth confers.
In Gates’ case, she’s now channeling much of that responsibility—and billions of her own dollars—into Pivotal Ventures, a collective of organizations focused on advancing women’s interests in the US and around the world. Most recently, Pivotal announced $250 million in awards to women’s health organizations in 22 countries. Given the Trump administration’s ongoing assault on women’s interests, and diversity writ large, as well as the dystopian cuddle puddle taking place between tech industry leaders (Gates’ ex-husband, Bill, has been a part of that shift) and President Trump, it felt like a particularly salient moment to check in with Gates about, well, all of it.
From her own path through the masculine “debate club” of Big Tech to the billionaire boys who aren’t giving away the big bucks, I found myself pleasantly surprised, and even a little bit inspired, by Gates’ candor in discussing the very real challenges of this particular moment. So if you checked the news and felt even slightly infuriated this morning, keep reading. It helps to be reminded that not all billionaires are created equal—and that some of them are still pushing for more equality overall.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
KATIE DRUMMOND: Melinda French Gates, welcome to The Big Interview. Thank you so much for being here.
MELINDA FRENCH GATES: Thanks for having me, Katie.
So we always start these conversations with some rapid-fire questions. It’s a warmup. Get your brain working, get your muscles working. Are you ready?
I am ready.
OK, first thing you do when you wake up in the morning.
Get my coffee.
One tech product you wish you could invent for women’s health.
Self-controlled reproductive tool.
I want to hear more about that. What’s one myth about philanthropy you wish people would stop believing?
That it can solve everything.
One book everyone should read.
The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.
What’s a habit you refuse to give up?
Having a Coke, a real Coke over ice. I just had one.
The Coke with sugar. The real …