Melinda French Gates arrives at the Elysee Palace for the Generation Equality Forum hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on July 1, 2021 in Paris, France.
Aurelien Meunier | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Melinda French Gates, a philanthropist and former wife of Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates announced Thursday that she will vote for President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election, writing in an editorial that “the stakes for women and families couldn’t be higher.”
“I have never supported a presidential candidate. My work on gender equality and global health often requires collaboration with leaders on both sides of the aisle, so I have avoided speaking publicly about who I voted for in past elections,” French Gates wrote in the editorial published by CNN.
“But this year is different,” she wrote. “After [former President Donald] Trump’s first term has endangered women’s health, compromised their safety and stripped them of essential freedoms. I support Biden in this election and ask others to do the same.”
In explaining her support, French Gates focused on the two candidates’ track records when it comes to women’s issues – the subject of much of French Gates’ philanthropic work.
“While Trump brags about restricting women’s rights, Biden understands that the future of our country depends on them. That’s why Biden deserves my vote. I urge everyone who cares about women and families to join me.”
A Trump campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
French Gates announced in May that she was stepping down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, nearly three years after she and her ex-husband announced their separation. Her last day at the foundation was June 7th.
Under the terms of the Gates’ divorce settlement, French Gates left the foundation with a $12.5 billion grant. According to Bloomberg, her net worth is estimated at more than $13 billion.
French Gates did not say in her endorsement Thursday whether she plans to donate to Biden’s campaign.
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2024-06-21 03:56:47
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