We would be driving down the street in a place like Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, and started to see, my gosh, the only people that have shoes are men. Why does that woman have a baby in her belly and one on her back, and she's carrying a huge load of bananas? You start to ask these questions.

Melinda and Bill Gates have three children: daughters Jennifer Katharine Gates (born 1996) and Phoebe Adele Gates (born 2002) and son Rory John Gates (born 1999). Shortly thereafter Melinda Gates left Microsoft to focus on starting and raising her family. On June 12 2009 Melinda and Bill Gates received honorary degrees from the University of Cambridge.

[citation needed]. Melinda French Gates (born Melinda Ann French; August 15 1964) is an American businesswoman and philanthropist.