This profile is part of the 2016 Global Citizen March Madness Challenge. The challenge asks you to vote for your favorite global citizens, as we match them up “tournament style” from a “Sweet 16” starting round, all the way down to a champion on April 4th.
Vote now in the Sweet 16 Round for all of your favorites HERE
Name: Bill & Melinda Gates
Hometowns: Seattle, Washington; Dallas, Texas
Profession: Philanthropists
Issue division: Water & Sanitation
Quick stats:
- 3 kids
- Among the most generous philanthropists in the world
- Both played pivotal roles at Microsoft
- Part of the Giving Pledge, a promise to give away the majority of their total wealth
Follow them @BillGates, @MelindaGates
Bill and Melinda Gates may be the most powerful philanthropists in the world. By some estimates, Warren Buffett has donated more than the Gates have, but his philanthropy goes through the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation because he trusts them to put it to the best use. By the end of 2015, the foundation has disbursed $36.7 billion in grants.
Over the years, the Gates have become experts in global health, global development as well as global policy and advocacy. Their annual letters and reports guide a substantial portion of the international aid community. And their investments have improved the lives of millions of people around the world.
Perhaps the most important cause for the Gates Foundation has been improving global health. The foundation has made essential contributions to control or end HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia and other diseases; to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates; and to facilitate global vaccination efforts. Also, the world has gotten much closer to the eradication of polio thanks to the Gates Foundation.
The foundation’s continued investments in water and sanitation programs have helped to improve health standards around the world.
Ultimately, the Gates have an unfair advantage in this competition. As a power couple, they can assist and get easy buckets.
First round match-up
Vote now in the Sweet 16 Round for all of your favorites HERE
Disclosure: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a funding partner of Global Citizen.
Editor's note: This piece has been updated to include a disclosure that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a funding partner of Global Citizen. We regret the oversight.