Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Melinda French Gates reacts to Warren Buffett’s will

Melinda French Gates reacts to Warren Buffett’s will

Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates goes her own way after leaving the charitable foundation she founded along with her ex-husband Bill Gates.

Her exit raised questions on her attitude toward giving in the case of her own organization, Pivotal Ventures, whose goal is to advance gender equality within the United States through philanthropy, investing and advocacy.

In an in depth interview with the New York TimesIn the interview, French Gates explained, amongst other things, her attitude toward philanthropy, her reasons for deciding to support Joe Biden, and her response to Warren Buffett’s will, which doesn’t guarantee any additional funds to the Gates Foundation.

When asked concerning the debate between data-based philanthropy and trust-based philanthropy, French Gates said he stands somewhere in the center.

She added: “I don’t plan on building a big organization, and I believe there are many, many partners on the ground who are doing incredible work but often don’t get funding. And I feel like when that work is done closer to the grassroots, sometimes it can have an even bigger lasting impact.”

Under no circumstances does she want to put in writing her name on the side of a constructing as a part of her charity work, because such gestures are usually not helpful.

French Gates also explained her Support for President Joe Biden in June. During her interview with the Just took place before he dropped out of the race last weekend; since then, she has supported Vice President Kamala Harris.

Although she had previously avoided political support, she said the Supreme Court ruling striking down the constitutional right to abortion was the catalyst.

“After the Dobbs decision, I knew I had to stand up for women’s rights, and if there was a candidate who was against women’s rights and said horrible things about women, there was no way I could vote for that person,” she said.

French Gates described herself as a centrist and stressed that she has voted for each parties previously and can proceed to achieve this.

Now to that may. After donating greater than $39 billion over a 15-year period, Buffett warned that his support for the inspiration might end. In a interview with the Wall Street Journal Last month, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway said: “The Gates Foundation will not receive any money after my death.”

According to his will, his remaining assets will go to a charitable foundation managed by his three children, who must unanimously resolve how the cash is spent. So it’s still technically possible that the Gates Foundation could get more of his money.

French Gates told the Just She was not surprised by Buffett’s decision and knew that he had made it.

“The other thing that’s really important is that he’s donated a tremendous amount through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” she said. “So I think that’s a good evolution in his thinking about how he wants to give.”

In addition to philanthropy, French Gates has also conducted an interview series about her Youtube channelwhich features conversations with famous and successful women, including Billie Jean King, Michelle Obama and Ava DuVernay.

In a recent episode, she told Oprah Winfrey that she discusses every major life decision along with her three closest friends, whom she calls her “truth council.”

“You really need a friend who will tell you the truth, even when you don’t want to hear it,” added French Gates. “I can say about my friends that they have a perspective on me and I have a perspective on them. When you have a long-term friendship, you’ve been through pretty much everything with the other person.”

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