Melinda French Gates Reflects on 2 Things She’s ‘Most Grateful For’ This Thanksgiving

Mar. 15, 2025

Melinda French Gates.Photo:Taylor Hill/WireImage

Taylor Hill/WireImage

Melinda French Gatesis reflecting on life this Thanksgiving.The philanthropist posted a photo of a body of water and mountains onInstagramon Thursday, Nov. 28, with a thoughtful caption.“I recently came across some old photos from a Thanksgiving trip I took with my family almost 10 years ago, and it made me reflect on two of the things I’m most grateful for: Making memories withmy loved onesand spending time in nature,” wrote French Gates, 60.She then asked, “What are you feeling grateful for this year?”Among the “loved ones” referenced in thePivotal Venturesfounder’s caption are thethree childrenshe shares with herex-husbandBill Gates, 69: daughtersJennifer and Phoebeand their sonRory.French Gates shared this meditative post weeks after announcinga new bookcoming out April 2025 calledThe Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward. Her website says the book will encourage “readers to stay true to themselves as they navigate transitions in their own lives.”Melinda French Gates in 2023.Cindy Ord/Getty"Over the last few years, I’ve experienced a lot of change — some of it exciting, some of it painful — so I’ve done a lot of thinking and learning about transitions," she said in a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE when announcing the book in October.“I decided to start writing this while I was still in the middle of this season of change, rather than safely on the other side.“The book gives readers a “rare window into some of her life’s pivotal moments,” as per a press release.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“You don’t get to be my age without navigating all kinds of transitions,” French Gates added. “Some you embraced and some you never expected. Some you hoped for and some you fought as hard as you could.“Some of these pivotal moments include going to college, becoming a mom,going through a divorce, andleaving the Gates Foundation earlier this year.Gates has previously publishedThe Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the Worldin 2019, which became a best seller.The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forwardis available for preorder wherever books are sold.

Melinda French Gatesis reflecting on life this Thanksgiving.

The philanthropist posted a photo of a body of water and mountains onInstagramon Thursday, Nov. 28, with a thoughtful caption.

“I recently came across some old photos from a Thanksgiving trip I took with my family almost 10 years ago, and it made me reflect on two of the things I’m most grateful for: Making memories withmy loved onesand spending time in nature,” wrote French Gates, 60.

She then asked, “What are you feeling grateful for this year?”

Among the “loved ones” referenced in thePivotal Venturesfounder’s caption are thethree childrenshe shares with herex-husbandBill Gates, 69: daughtersJennifer and Phoebeand their sonRory.

French Gates shared this meditative post weeks after announcinga new bookcoming out April 2025 calledThe Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward. Her website says the book will encourage “readers to stay true to themselves as they navigate transitions in their own lives.”

Melinda French Gates in 2023.Cindy Ord/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty

“Over the last few years, I’ve experienced a lot of change — some of it exciting, some of it painful — so I’ve done a lot of thinking and learning about transitions,” she said in a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE when announcing the book in October.

“I decided to start writing this while I was still in the middle of this season of change, rather than safely on the other side.”

The book gives readers a “rare window into some of her life’s pivotal moments,” as per a press release.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“You don’t get to be my age without navigating all kinds of transitions,” French Gates added. “Some you embraced and some you never expected. Some you hoped for and some you fought as hard as you could.“Some of these pivotal moments include going to college, becoming a mom,going through a divorce, andleaving the Gates Foundation earlier this year.

Gates has previously publishedThe Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the Worldin 2019, which became a best seller.

The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forwardis available for preorder wherever books are sold.

source: people.com