Melinda French Gates: "I Ignore Tech Bros Who Criticize Women in Philanthropy — I’m Here Getting Things Done"

• Melinda French Gates stated that she disregards the critiques directed at her philanthropy coming from those in the tech industry.
• "If that’s how they choose to behave? Alright, but it doesn’t concern me," French Gates stated.
• Elon Musk has taken aim at French Gates and MacKenzie Scott, formerly married to Jeff Bezos, regarding their charitable efforts.

Melinda French Gates mentioned that she doesn't feel troubled by the harsh comments from tech industry males regarding her charitable endeavors.

French Gates was questioned regarding the criticisms aimed at billionaires such as herself and MacKenzie Scott have received for their generosity during an interview with Scott Galloway On his podcast that was released on Thursday.

“I dismiss it,” French Gates stated. “I am aware of who I am and what I’m doing, as well as my principles and reasons for giving back.”

“I’m not one to stand idly by. It’s simple for people to remain on the sidelines and, as Roosevelt would put it, pass judgment from afar. I am actively involved, engaged in the effort,” French Gates went on to explain.

French Gates has faced criticism regarding her charitable activities. . In June, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated that it " could potentially lead to the decline of Western civilization "After French Gates backed President Joe Biden's Musk was reacting to an X post made by Ashley St. Clare from the Babylon Bee regarding French Gates' support.

As many supervillain schemes are launched under the pretense of charity," St. Clair posted on X.

"Yeah," Musk replied.

Previously, in March 2024, Musk did this. criticized Jeff Bezos' former spouse, MacKenzie. for her charitable giving.

Musk posted on X on March 6, 2024, suggesting that "extremely wealthy ex-wives with grievances against their previous husbands" ought to be included in the list of "reasons why Western civilization collapsed." The original post has since been removed.

French Gates informed Galloway that assaults and criticisms won’t deter her from pursuing her charitable work.

"When you’re not actively involved in the work and aren’t diving into the challenges headfirst, it becomes simpler to critique others and pin their failures on them since you’d rather avoid putting in that effort yourself,” she explained.

"It's their call. If that’s what they choose to do? Okay, but it doesn’t affect me. I’ll keep moving forward with my tasks," she went on to say.

French Gates announced her divorce from Microsoft cofounder, Bill Gates, In 2021, the pair had been husband and wife for 27 years.

In May, French Gates mentioned that she had departed from her position. Gates Foundation , a charitable foundation she established alongside her former spouse in 2000. She currently focuses primarily on leading these donation initiatives. Pivotal Ventures , an investment and incubation company she launched in 2015.

In a May op-ed piece for The New York Times, French Gates detailed her choice to step down from the Gates Foundation and announced her commitment to allocate $1 billion within the coming two years towards initiatives focused on reproductive rights, women’s issues, and family-related concerns.

"A long time back, I was given this counsel: 'Establish your own priorities, or else others will determine them for you,' " French Gates noted.

Representatives for French Gates did not reply to Business Insider’s request for comment.

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