Bill Gates at a glance
Bill Gates is an American technology executive, philanthropist, and cofounder of Microsoft. Born October 28, 1955, he has built a career spanning software, investing, and global health and development. This profile focuses on his public achievements, his long-term partnership with Melinda French Gates, and how both have shaped modern philanthropy. Information reflects publicly available records and widely reported milestones that are stable over time.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 28, 1955 | Public biographies and legal records |
| Age (as of 2026) | 70 years old | Calculated from birth date |
| Marriage to Melinda French Gates | January 1, 1994 | Microsoft wedding announcements and biographies |
| Children | Jennifer Katharine, Rory John, and Phoebe Adele Gates | Family statements and public profiles |
| Separation announcement | May 2021 | Personal blog statement by Bill and Melinda Gates |
| Philanthropic focus together | Global health, education, and poverty reduction via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Foundation reports and public filings |
How Bill Gates and Melinda French built a partnership
Bill Gates and Melinda French met in 1987 when she joined Microsoft as a product manager. They married in 1994 and, over more than a quarter century, combined technology expertise with large-scale philanthropy. In May 2021 they announced their separation, stating they would continue cochairing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation while committing to shared responsibility for their children. Their collaboration remains a central example of how long-term personal and professional partnerships can drive global impact.
Key relationship milestones at a glance
- 1987: Meeting at Microsoft — initial professional connection
- 1990–1993: Early relationship and family planning
- January 1, 1994: Wedding and public partnership
- 1996–2009: Birth of three children and continued product and philanthropic work
- 2000: Formal establishment of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- May 2021: Separation announcement and commitment to joint foundation leadership
- 2022–2026: Continued cochairing and public reflections on lessons in philanthropy and partnership
What the partnership means for philanthropy
The alignment of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates created one of the largest private philanthropic forces in history. Together they scaled the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s work in global health, development, and education. Their approach emphasized data-driven decision-making, long-term funding, and collaboration with governments and other nonprofits. Even after their personal separation, they have maintained joint leadership of the foundation, demonstrating how a shared mission can outlast changes in personal relationship structure.
Impact measured: Outcomes tied to the Gates partnership
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation initial endowment (1994–1999 period) | Multi-billion dollars from Microsoft stock | Catalyzed long-term giving strategy |
| Global polio cases reduction since 1988 | Over 99% decline | Gates-funded campaigns contributed significantly |
| Gavi-supported children immunized (since 2000) | Hundreds of millions | Partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance |
| Pell Grant funding advocacy outcomes | Millions of additional students aided | U.S. higher education funding support |
Common questions about Bill Gates’s age and relationship status
Readers often seek clarity about Bill Gates’s age, his marriage history, and the present status of his relationship with Melinda French Gates. Because these topics are frequently revisited, the following points summarize stable, verifiable information:
- When was Bill Gates born? He was born on October 28, 1955.
- How old is Bill Gates now? As of 2026, he is 70 years old.
- Who is Bill Gates married to? He was married to Melinda French Gates from 1994 until their separation in 2021.
- Did Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates have children together? Yes, they have three children: Jennifer Katharine, Rory John, and Phoebe Adele Gates.
- What happened in May 2021 regarding their relationship? They announced their separation while affirming their commitment to continue cochairing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Are Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates still working together? Yes, they continue to colead the foundation and collaborate on global health and development initiatives.
Net worth context and shared resources
While personal relationship decisions are distinct from financial standing, the continuity of their philanthropic work has implications for how resources are deployed. Both have pledged the majority of their wealth to the Gates Foundation and other giving vehicles. Understanding their joint history helps explain how coordinated funding strategies have been sustained across decades, even as personal circumstances have evolved.
Where to find official statements and further details
For the most reliable information on Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, consult the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation website, official Microsoft archives, and reputable biographies that cite primary sources. These materials provide consistent, timestamped records of major milestones and ongoing initiatives.
Takeaway
Bill Gates, born in 1955 and now 70, has maintained a long-term personal and philanthropic partnership with Melinda French Gates since the 1990s. Their union, formalized in 1955, shaped large-scale initiatives in global health and education, and their continued collaboration through the foundation demonstrates durability beyond personal relationship changes. The publicly documented dates and milestones remain stable reference points for understanding their shared legacy.