Melinda French Gates Refuses To Fund Daughter's Startup: 'If It's Real, Others Should'
Melinda French Gates declined to invest in her daughter startup, stressing the need for entrepreneurial resilience and the importance of struggle.
Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates shared that she refused to invest in her daughter's startup, saying that entrepreneurial resilience must be built without parental safety nets. Speaking at the Power of Women's Sports Summit, Melinda French Gates disclosed that her daughter had recently launched a business but emphasized that her success is not backed by family money.
'She got capitalized not because of my contacts, not because of me. I wouldn't put money into it," Melinda French Gates said, adding, 'If it's a real business, other investors ought to be ready to back it."
Melinda French Gates emphasised the importance of struggle and feedback in shaping success and noted the disparity in funding for female entrepreneurs. She said, 'Getting funding is incredibly difficult if you are a woman," adding that true endurance and growth are born from overcoming those very obstacles.
As of April 2025, Melinda French Gates has a net worth of $30.2 billion, according to Forbes.
First Published:
July 09, 2025, 02:24 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
5 hours ago
- India Today
7 Most Powerful Countries in the World in 2025
7 Most Powerful Countries in the World in 2025 15 Jul, 2025 Credit: Getty Power on the world stage blends economic strength, political reach, and military force. US News ranks nations by influence, alliances, and global impact, reported Forbes. With a GDP of $30.34 trillion, the US remains the world's biggest economy and a dominant global power. United States China, with $19.53 trillion GDP and a population of 141.9 crore, continues to challenge US dominance across trade and technology. China Despite economic sanctions, Russia's $2.2 trillion economy and strong military presence keep it influential, especially in Asia and Europe. Russia The UK, with a $3.73 trillion economy, holds global sway through its financial markets, defence ties, and cultural influence. United Kingdom Germany, Europe's largest economy at $4.92 trillion, remains an industrial and technological powerhouse shaping EU policies and trade. Germany South Korea's $1.95 trillion economy, advanced tech sector, and strategic alliances make it a key player in Asian geopolitics. Credit: Unsplash South Korea France, with a $3.28 trillion economy, stays powerful through strong defence, global diplomacy, and leadership within the European Union. France
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez: Should Regular, Not-So-Rich Indian Couples Sign A Prenup?
Last Updated: Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding: Can regular couples sign prenups? What can the terms be? Would it put non-earning spouse at a disadvantage? Is it legally valid in India? Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding: As the details and pictures of the lavish celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to his fiancée Lauren Sánchez in Venice come out, there's also the buzz of a ' prenuptial agreement or prenup" around it. The couple reportedly married in the US weeks before their lavish $10 million (approximately Rs 388-460 crore) wedding celebration in Venice on June 26, featuring a star-studded guest list. While Bezos and Sanchez may or may not have chosen to sign a prenuptial agreement, it is a crucial document which details what each person will take away in terms of assets, debts and spousal support should the marriage end in divorce or death. Bezos — the founder of Amazon whose net worth Forbes estimates to be north of $200 billion — has a lot of wealth to protect, should his second marriage go south. But chances are his assets and estate are already structured and professionally managed in a way that they would never become marital assets, two attorneys who specialise in prenups told CNN. The curiosity is only around the payout she would get if they divorced or he predeceases her, in case they signed a prenup. But for everyone else wondering if they should get a prenup before saying 'I do," there are many factors to consider for both partners. Do regular couples sign prenups? For one, the stigma around prenups as a sign that at least one partner doesn't trust the incoming spouse or is worried the marriage wouldn't last has gone. CNN, in a special piece on prenups, noted the changing trend. Illinois-based divorce and marital attorney Gail O'Connor, founder of O'Connor Family Law, told CNN she has seen a huge jump in couples seeking them out. 'Millennials want to be very financially independent. So there is this idea of people getting married later and thinking, 'I've worked hard for this and want to protect it,'" O'Connor said. But the 'it" doesn't have to mean billions or even millions. It could just mean you've worked for a decade and built up savings, investments and stock options. Or, conversely, she said she has seen a lot of couples where one person has a large debt load — for example, $100,000 or more in education loans. 'And their partner wants to be protected from that," O'Connor said. Why do prenups matter and to whom? Prenups are most critical where one partner owns a business. 'It's not about the actual level of wealth but what the assets are when a couple marries," Jacqueline Newman, managing partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein in New York told CNN. While a business may not be worth much at the time of wedding, it might grow greatly during the marriage, which also happened in case of Bezos during his first marriage to MacKenzie Scott. Prenups also matter to: What can regular couples include in a prenup? Whatever you want. Newman said a regular couple can opt for a prenup that: Asserts that any assets or debt in one person's name goes with that person at the end of the marriage. Any assets or debts in both partners' names are split. A simple prenup might also just focus on a single asset and how it will be treated if the marriage dissolves. Could address the issue of how one partner's debt is paid off during the marriage. For instance, if any jointly held marital assets are used to make one partner's debt payments, that partner may need to reimburse the joint account. What would couples need to get a prenup? Financial disclosures O'Connor told CNN she asks her clients to give her proof of their assertions by way of their most recent tax returns, W2s, stock option grants, business valuations, and bank and brokerage statements. 'You don't want to build a contract subject to a successful attack. The more disclosure you have, the better," she said. Prenups in India prenuptial agreements to understand the intentions of the parties involved during divorce proceedings, particularly in cases where there is a dispute over financial matters. While states like Goa recognise such contracts under the Portuguese Civil Code, the rest of India views marriage predominantly through the lens of personal laws. The Hindu Marriage Act views marriage as a sacrament rather than a contract. The nikahnama (a prenuptial agreement in Islamic law) is an exception, as it is recognised as a part of Muslim marriage and can be considered valid if it complies with Islamic law and doesn't contradict it. Other options for Indian couples Couples may explore other options like creating family trusts or trusts for each family member to manage assets and provide some level of financial security. Some lawyers draft 'quasi-prenuptial" or 'postnuptial" agreements, which are not legally binding but can be used to record the couple's understanding on various financial and other matters, potentially influencing court decisions or preventing false claims. According to the Indian Contract Act, 1872, a valid contract requires consideration, something of value exchanged between parties. As prenups typically involve no such exchange before marriage, they are often deemed unenforceable. However, there are exceptions where courts have upheld these agreements when they focus on property distribution rather than marital dissolution. It also helps in terms of alimony or maintenance discussion if the marriage is dissolved. With CNN, Agencies Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Jeff Bezos Lauren Sanchez view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 27, 2025, 13:29 IST News explainers Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez: Should Regular, Not-So-Rich Indian Couples Sign A Prenup? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Top 5 richest people in India (July 2025): Their combined net worth can't match Elon Musk's fortune
List of India's richest people: India is home to some of the richest people in the world, with billionaires leading industries ranging from energy and telecom to pharmaceuticals and technology. But despite their vast fortunes, even the top 5 richest people in India fall short when compared to Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, according to Forbes. As of today, July 17, 2025, the combined net worth of India's richest people is around $279.5 billion—far less than Elon Musk's staggering wealth of $400.7 billion, according to Forbes. Let's take a look at the top Indian billionaires and how they've built their empires. India's Billionaire Boom in 2025 India has seen a strong rise in the number of billionaires. According to Hurun's Global Rich List (March 2025), the country now has 284 billionaires — 13 more than last year. In 2022, India had 249 billionaires, but the number dropped to 187 in 2023 due to market disruptions. However, the country made a big comeback in 2024 with 276 billionaires. This steady growth now makes India the world's third-largest hub for billionaires, after the USA and China. The collective wealth of these tycoons stands at an eye-watering Rs 91.35 lakh crore ($1,067,582.93 million), surpassing even the GDP of Saudi Arabia. This rise marks a 10% increase year-on-year, showcasing the strength and expansion of Indian enterprise. Top 5 Richest People in India (July 2025) 1. Mukesh Ambani – $112 Billion Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, continues to be the richest person in India in July 2025 with a net worth of $112 billion. He is also the only Asian featured in Forbes' exclusive $100 billion club. Reliance operates across major sectors like oil refining, retail, digital services, and 5G technology. Ambani is also investing heavily in green energy and telecom, helping him stay at the top of India's richest people list. 2. Gautam Adani – $68.4 Billion Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group, is the second richest person in India with a net worth of $68.4 billion. Although his wealth has dropped since 2024, he remains one of the strongest business leaders in India's infrastructure sector. His group runs key assets like ports, airports, power stations, and renewable energy plants. The Adani Foundation, led by his wife Priti Adani, works on various social projects across the country. 3. Savitri Jindal & Family – $37.8 Billion Savitri Jindal, chairperson emeritus of the O.P. Jindal Group, is India's richest woman with a net worth of $37.8 billion. She took charge of the family business after the passing of her husband, Om Prakash Jindal. Her four sons manage different sectors of the group, which focuses on steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. The group also promotes sports in India through JSW Sports. 4. Shiv Nadar – $34.6 Billion Padma Bhushan Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, ranks fourth on the list of the richest people in India, with a net worth of $34.6 billion. He played a key role in building India's IT sector, and HCL now serves global giants like Microsoft, Cisco, and Boeing. He is also known for his charitable work, donating over Rs 1,100 crore in 2022 to support education and development. 5. Dilip Shanghvi – $26.7 Billion Dilip Shanghvi, founder of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, is the fifth richest Indian in 2025, with a net worth of $26.7 billion. Sun Pharma became the first Indian pharmaceutical company to cross a $5 billion valuation under his leadership. A major milestone in his journey was the $4 billion acquisition of Ranbaxy Laboratories in 2014, which helped Sun Pharma become a global pharmaceutical leader. Elon Musk vs India's Billionaires: The Huge Wealth Gap While India's top five billionaires are extremely wealthy and powerful, their combined fortune of $279.5 billion still falls short of Elon Musk's net worth, which is $400.7 billion as per Forbes. The Tesla and SpaceX founder continues to top the global rich list, with a gap of over $120 billion between him and India's richest people combined. The richest people in India continue to shape the nation's economic future, leading global businesses and fuelling innovation. While they may not have reached Elon Musk's net worth just yet, their influence and legacy in Indian and global markets are undeniable. Stay tuned as India's richest individuals evolve and new names rise to the top of the Forbes billionaires list. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
