At 60, Melinda French Gates never expected to become a grandmother so soon, but she has found the experience to be “unexpectedly joyful”. As she shares in her new memoir, The Next Day, French Gates candidly talks about navigating life’s ups and downs, including embracing motherhood and grandparenting.
At 60, Melinda French Gates never expected to become a grandmother so soon. However, she has found the experience to be ‘unexpectedly joyful‘. In her new memoir, The Next Day, French Gates candidly talks about navigating life’s ups and downs, including embracing motherhood and grandparenting.
Melinda French Gates is a renowned American businesswoman, philanthropist, and author.
Born in 1964, she co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with her husband Bill Gates.
The foundation focuses on global health, education, and poverty alleviation initiatives.
Melinda French Gates has also served as the chair of PACCAR Inc.
and is a board member of several organizations, including Microsoft and Costco Wholesale.
She has received numerous awards for her philanthropic work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Surprising Joy of Grandmotherhood
French Gates first became a grandmother in February 2023 when her older daughter welcomed her baby girl, Leila. She was thrilled to spend time with her new granddaughter and soon discovered the joys of being a grandparent. ‘Any time I get to spend with these two little girls is just a delight,’ she says. ‘I beam thinking about it, like, ‘Oh, I’m going to get to be on the beach with those little girls.”
Grandmotherhood is a significant life stage that brings immense joy and responsibility.
Research suggests that grandmothers play a crucial role in childcare, providing emotional support and care to their grandchildren.
In many cultures, grandmothers are also revered for their wisdom, life experience, and traditional knowledge.
According to the 'United States Census Bureau' , there are over 70 million grandmothers in the country, with the average age of grandmotherhood being around 50 years old.
Grandmothers contribute significantly to family dynamics, social networks, and community development.
As a busy philanthropist and businesswoman, French Gates had not anticipated becoming a grandmother at this stage in her life. However, she has found that grandparenting brings its own set of joys. ‘It’s a delight to hold and snuggle a baby again,’ she notes. ‘Or in Leila‘s case, she loves to run around. She likes to jump on a trampoline when you can find one.‘
A Newfound Appreciation for Life
French Gates‘ experience as a grandmother has given her a newfound appreciation for life. She reflects on the twists and turns that have shaped her journey, including some that she welcomed with open arms and others that she fought against. ‘During this season, I’ve seen my life change in ways I hoped for, ways I fought against, and ways I never could have imagined,’ she writes in her memoir.
As a proud mom of three, French Gates has learned to cherish every moment with her children and now her grandchildren. She is grateful for the opportunity to watch them grow and develop their own interests and personalities. ‘It’s so fun to just kick off your shoes and run after her in the yard,’ she says, highlighting the simple joys of being a grandparent.
A Grandmother’s Love
For French Gates, becoming a grandmother has been a life-changing experience. She is grateful for the love and joy that her grandchildren bring into her life. As she looks to the future, she knows that she will be there for every milestone and every moment in between. ‘Any time I get to spend with these two little girls is just a delight,’ she says, summing up her experience as a grandmother.
