Melinda Gates Changing The World

She is the head of a foundation that is synonymous with generosity and uses its voice for a more united and supportive planet. We chatted with the philanthropist about feminism, leadership and the enormous power of small acts of kindness.

- Benedetta Poletti

It's seven in the evening in Madrid, nine in the morning in the United States, when I start talking to Melinda Gates (born in Texas, 1964) over the phone. She is at home in Seattle with her family, and right now she is looking out the window at the garden. A computer engineer, entrepreneur, mother of three and passionate feminist, she is one of the most influential women on the plonet; a surprisingly intimate and spontaneous person, she is very erithusiastic and one hundred percent committed to what she believes in. For about 20 years, she and her husband (Bill Gates) have run the foundation that bears their name, the largest, most powerful and generous charity in global health and education on an international scale. An organisation that, a few days ago, decided to allocate 250 milion dollars to confront Covid-19 and to find a vaccine against the coronavirus on one condition only: that the result be accessible to all, not just to rich countries. Melinda is beyond serious, she wants to really change the world and she is convinced that the key lies in remembering that no life is worth more than another, and she is especially for promoting women's leadership. «When we take off, the whole of society takes off,» she says. Throughout our conversation, we addressed everything from solidarity to education and we even talked about ELLE's action in support of the Food Banks, an initiative she warmly applauds.

ELLE: Do you think we will use this crisis to rebuild, rethink and recreate a better world? More caring, more empathetic, more human, more fair…?