Latest news with #PivotalVentures
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Melinda French Gates on what ‘blocks' Monday mornings on her calendar: ‘I've been …'
Melinda French Gates always consults her three closest female friends on every major life decision. The former wife of Microsoft co-founder has described her friends as essential to her choices. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In an interview from last year, which was posted on her YouTube channel, Gates told Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King about her friends. In the interview, she noted that her calendar is blocked every Monday morning for walks with these friends, stating, 'If you're in town, you walk.' Clips from the original interview which was published ahead of Gates' 60th birthday, were also shared by King on her Instagram profile. In one of the that King shared on Gates' 60th birthday in August 2024, she said: 'I've been incredibly lucky to have three female friends now for over 30 years. They are my truth council. Whenever I'm going to make a really hard decision or make a big transition, I know I have to have the courage to tell them…and they're honest with me.' Gates, whose company Pivotal Ventures supports gender equity organisations, sat down with King and Winfrey for her series 'Moments That Make Us' in 2024. They discussed insights on ageing and the influence of female friendships . What more did Melinda Gates say about her friends She highlighted the critical role of a support system during her divorce from Bill Gates in 2021, the period she described as 'unbelievably painful.' 'I would not have gotten through my divorce without my three closest friends. There's no chance. You actually need a friend who will tell you the truth even when you don't want to hear it. I'll say about my friends, they have a perspective on me, and I have a perspective on them. When you have a long-term friendship, you've kind of seen it all with the other person,' Gates continued. Gates also added that she sees her sixties as a fresh beginning and plans to keep her weekly morning walks as a key part of this new chapter in life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Women used to not talk about their age as if we should be ashamed to be our age. But I'm really proud that I'm about to turn 60. Shouldn't we celebrate? I hope by this age we have some wisdom, right? We don't talk about the importance of deep, deep female friendship,' Gates highlighted. King and Winfrey, who have been friends for 50 years, emphasised that their lives would have been different without each other's continuous support, which has guided them through job changes and King's divorce. OnePlus Nord 5 review: Is This the Best Phone Under Rs 35K?
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Princess Kate attends hidden royal engagement after pulling out of Royal Ascot
It was over a week ago that the Princess of Wales pulled out of attending Royal Ascot - but now it has emerged that she has quietly returned to work The Princess of Wales has quietly returned to work after pulling out of Royal Ascot. Confusion was sparked last week when it was announced that Kate, who is in remission from cancer, would not be attending the second day of the horse racing festival. It came after her name originally appeared on the official list of those taking part in a carriage procession alongside her husband Prince William as well as the King and Queen. When it was confirmed that she would not be attending, sources said she is still trying to find the right balance following her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment. And although she has not appeared in public since then, it has emerged that she has carried out an engagement behind closed doors. According to the Court Circular, the record of official royal engagements, she and William met with philanthropist Melinda French Gates, the former wife of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, at Windsor Castle yesterday. Ms French Gates is the owner of Pivotal Ventures, a company that aims to promote female power and influence and also is the co-founder of the Gates Foundation. No photos from the meeting have been released. The meeting came after William had held an investiture ceremony yesterday where among those receiving their awards were the former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who picked up his knighthood. It comes after a royal source reiterated that Kensington Palace has consistently stressed the need for 'flexibility' around the Princess of Wales ' public engagements. They added that the princess completed three engagements in the week leading up to Royal Ascot, attending the new V&A East Storeroom exhibition space in London, the King's official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour and Garter Day in Windsor. It is not clear when the princess took the decision not to join the royals at the races, but fans had been hoping to see Kate as William was one of the figures awarding prizes during the second day of the meeting. She was named among the guests joining King Charles and Queen Camilla in the traditional carriage procession, but a revised list was quickly issued after Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be attending. Kate announced in January she was now in remission and focussed on healing, while the King is still undergoing weekly treatment for the disease. Before she made her first public appearance after her diagnosis at Trooping the Colour last year, she revealed how she was "taking each day as it comes". Speaking at the time, she said: "As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty." In September when her chemotherapy treatment ended, Kate described in an emotional video message how the previous nine months had been "incredibly tough for us as a family" and "doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus". William later said in a separate interview that 2024 had been a 'brutal' year. The princess' measured return to royal duties was welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II's former communications secretary Ailsa Anderson. Speaking before Kate's withdrawal from Royal Ascot, she told People magazine: "She's being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life."
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Tuna breath' and death: Bradley Cooper shares memories of caring for his late father
'Tuna breath' and death: Bradley Cooper shares memories of caring for his late father Show Caption Hide Caption Bradley Cooper new documentary sheds light on caregiving crisis A new documentary, "Caregiving," executive produced by Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper, will explore the hidden struggles of caregivers. unbranded - Entertainment When his father was sick, Bradley Cooper said he moved back in with his parents. Through bathing his father and helping him use the bathroom, Cooper was a caregiver, unbeknownst to the world – and even to himself. "I didn't ever even realize that I was one," the actor said to a room full of caregivers who could relate. Cooper attended a screening event and panel on June 12 for his new documentary, "Caregiving" (premiering June 24 on PBS at 9 p.m. ET). Along with his daughter, Lea, other A-list caregivers united, including actress Uzo Aduba, Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming Willis and TV journalists Deborah Roberts and Al Roker. 'This is the beginning': Bradley Cooper's documentary unites celebrity caregivers More: When her mom got sick, her world turned upside down. Award-winning actress shares her story Cooper said he was "in awe" of the paid caregivers who helped his father when he was sick. "When I was in the active action of caring, it was very fulfilling," Cooper said. He lived with his parents for eight months before his father died on Jan. 15, 2011. "It was the moments of solitude and quiet after where I felt scared and confused and frightened because of the role reversal, because of so many things, because of how surreal life became." Even after 14 years, he said, he's still processing what he and his family went through in their care journey. Bradley Cooper found humor while caring for his father Cooper said his father died in his arms. But just before then, while his father was in hospice, Cooper revealed his mother was concerned about something else. Cooper said he ate a tuna sandwich earlier that day or the day before, in those final moments his father was alive. "All my mom was worried about was my tuna breath on my father," he said, laughing. One of the greatest gifts of caregiving, Cooper said in the film, was the time he was able to spend with his father before he died. He said he found a lot of joy in those last weeks and days. "It's life," he said. "It's just real life." Madeline Mitchell's role covering women and the caregiving economy at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal Ventures and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach Madeline at memitchell@ and @maddiemitch_ on X.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Navigating change: Insights from Melinda French Gates' The Next Day
The divorce, especially, was a raw, vulnerable chapter marked by sleepless nights and emotional upheaval. Yet, through that darkness, she discovered a surprising sense of freedom. This renewal marked a pivotal moment in her journey—proof that the end of one chapter often makes way for a truer one to begin. From there, the narrative moves into the profound changes Melinda faced: her divorce after nearly three decades of marriage and her decision to step away from the Gates Foundation. These aren't just headlines or public milestones. They are seismic shifts in identity and purpose. She writes candidly about the pain, fear and uncertainty that accompanied these transitions. What struck me first was Melinda's tender reflection on her relationship with her father. She honours him as a steadfast advocate—kind, generous, always pushing to improve—much like Malala Yousafzai's father, who fiercely supported his daughter's courage. This tribute hit home for me, stirring memories of my own dad, now gone, whose gentle support and unwavering belief shaped who I am. Fathers like these are rare gifts, our first champions in a world that doesn't always listen to daughters. Melinda's acknowledgment of that love and advocacy sets a deeply human tone for the entire book. When I read The Next Day, it felt like sitting down with a close friend who's been through the storm and come out the other side with quiet strength and a heart wide open. The Role of Relationships Leaving the foundation was another bold step, choosing to redefine her philanthropic journey on her own terms, focusing more deeply on women's empowerment through Pivotal Ventures. What I found especially inspiring was how Melinda leans into relationships as lifelines during these upheavals. Her friendship with John Neilson, a dear colleague and family friend, is woven throughout the book with warmth and sorrow. John's battle with cancer while Melinda was pregnant with her son Rory, whom she named in his honour, captures the bittersweet interplay between loss and new beginnings. It reminded me how change is never just about endings or beginnings, but the messy, beautiful overlap of both. Lessons in Vulnerability Melinda also speaks to the power of women's groups and friendships—those circles of empathy and strength that buoy us when life feels unsteady. Reading The Next Day brought to mind Brené Brown's Daring Greatly, which teaches us that vulnerability is not weakness but the birthplace of courage and connection. Melinda embodies this truth, showing us how to meet uncertainty with openness rather than resistance. At the same time, Brianna Wiest's The Mountain Is You echoes in the background, reminding us that the hardest climbs are often within ourselves, and transforming self-sabotage is the key to growth. Together, these voices create a chorus of resilience, courage and hope. Melinda writes, 'Change doesn't demand perfection; it asks only for courage to begin again, one small step at a time.' This simple truth pulses throughout the book, reminding us that the next day is always waiting—an invitation to meet life with openness, kindness and hope. She shows us that vulnerability is not a crack in our armour but the light that guides us through the unknown, and that the quiet strength of those who believe in us—like fathers, friends and ourselves—becomes the foundation for every new beginning. Conclusion: A Companion for the Journey The Next Day is a warm, honest companion for anyone facing change, loss or uncertainty. Melinda French Gates reminds us that every ending holds the seed of a new beginning, and that with courage, connection and compassion, we can meet each next day ready to grow. This book isn't just about moving forward. It's about learning to begin again, wherever you are * The Next Day by Melinda French Gates can be obtained at Exclusive Books.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Political tension and fears of violence may have depressed voter turnout in 2024
Women and gender-nonconforming people were more likely than men to fear violence and harassment while voting in the 2024 election, and those who expressed concerns about safety were more likely not to vote at all, new research shows. The study, released Monday and shared first with The 19th, was conducted by States United Democracy Center, a nonpartisan organization focused on promoting fair and secure elections and upholding the rule of law, in partnership with Pivotal Ventures, a fund focused on social impact backed by Melinda French Gates. Pivotal Ventures is also a funder of The 19th. 'Tens of millions of Americans ultimately cast their ballots in 2024 without incident,' the report said. 'But voting was not straightforward and safe for all Americans. Many were harassed, and a limited number were subjected to physical violence.' The study found that the 2024 election was, as a whole, safe, fair and securely conducted, with voters overwhelmingly reporting feeling safe at the polls and confident in the safety and security of the election. But rising incidents of political violence, heightened political polarization and gender-based harassment had a measurable impact on how women and gender-noncomforming people especially viewed the safety of voting in the 2024 election — and whether they turned out to vote at all, the study says. Researchers surveyed voters before and after the 2024 election in partnership with research data and analytics group YouGov and held a series of seven focus groups before the election — with three groups of White women, three groups of women of color and one made up of gender-nonconforming voters. They also fielded surveys of state lawmakers, election administrators and law enforcement officials in partnership with the nonprofit CivicPulse. The study is also one of the first of its kind to study the voting experiences of gender-nonconforming voters, who are subject to gender-based discrimination and harassment at the polls. Women, people of color and gender-nonconforming people were more likely to have perceived the election environment as being unsafe, reported experiencing higher rates of voting-related harassment and were more likely to take precautionary measures when going to the polls. The study also compared pre-election survey responses to voting records and found that higher expectations of experiencing violence or harassment at the polls was correlated with lower voting rates. 'Concerns about violence or harassment depressed turnout, likely turning millions of voters into non-voters,' the report said. The pre-election survey, conducted September 23 to 30, 2024, surveyed 4,016 American adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.7 points. The post-election survey, conducted November 7 to 19, surveyed a separate group of 4,017 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.6 points. The researchers asked a series of questions to identify gender-nonconforming respondents in its surveys with YouGov, resulting in a sample of 81 gender-nonconforming voters in the pre-election survey and 103 in the post-election survey. To measure fears of harassment and violence, researchers asked respondents how likely they thought it was to experience events ranging from verbal or written harassment to property damage and acts of physical violence. While all gender groups provided average responses of 'somewhat unlikely' across all five, gender-nonconforming respondents had a higher expected likelihood of harassment or violence. Overall, 91 percent of men, 89 percent of women and 73 percent of gender-nonconforming respondents said in the post-election survey that they felt safe voting. But respondents' perceptions and feelings of safety varied by race among women and gender-nonconforming people. In the post-election survey, 92 percent of White respondents said they felt completely or mostly safe voting, compared with 85 percent of Black voters and 84 percent of Hispanic voters. In pre-election surveys, women and voters of color were more likely than men and White respondents to view voting as unsafe and to say they were taking precautions as a result. Among women, the most common safety precaution respondents said they were likely to take was not bringing their children to the polls (32 percent), while the most common safety precaution for gender-nonconforming people was not interacting with others at the polls (46 percent). About a quarter of women and gender-nonconforming respondents said they were likely to vote by mail. Several women voters in focus groups cited the potential of gun violence as a concern. 'I don't go to the polls, because you never know what you will encounter there,' said a White independent woman voter who participated in one of the focus groups. 'It seems like everybody in Arizona has a gun. We vote by mail, because it's safer. Everybody has an opinion; you get in line, and you hear it all. You never know, if they don't agree with you, they'll shoot you. People are crazy.' Others spoke to the heightened political climate and general political tensions around the election as a reason they feared threats, harassment and even heated conversations in line. 'I go early, or late, when I won't run into anybody I know, and there won't be any conversation,' said a Black Republican woman focus group participant. 'I don't want to deal with the emotional, 'Who did you vote for?' And me saying, 'I don't want to discuss it.' So there are no issues, fighting, cussing, yelling. Save my peace of mind.' Voters who feared violence and harassment at higher levels were less likely to vote, researchers found by comparing survey responses to verified voting records. When controlling for turnout differences based on demographic considerations, the study still found an average three percentage point decline in the likelihood of voting. 'For context, differences in voter behavior based on education level, one of the strongest predictors of turnout, are only half as large as differences explained by expectations of violence or harassment,' the report said. 'Put another way, generalizing our results to the nationwide electorate, roughly 6 million Americans may have decided not to vote in 2024 because of concerns about violence or harassment.' Gender-nonconforming voters face particularly unique challenges and barriers when it comes to voting. A rise in anti-transgender political rhetoric from the right has been accompanied by a slew of laws targeting transgender people in Republican-controlled states. Some of these laws have sought to create strict definitions of gender and bar transgender individuals from changing the sex listed on their official identification to align with their gender identity. In states that require voters to show photo identification at the polls, that could open up transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals to scrutiny and potential harassment. In the pre-election survey, a third of gender-nonconforming voters said they were likely to dress differently at the polls. 'I've been a registered voter for decades. When I attempted to vote last time, they had a hard time 'finding' my registration,' said a gender-nonconforming Black independent who participated in a focus group. 'I could tell I was being judged. The attitude of the person looking at your information to give you the voting packet can be intimidating. My documents have been submitted, I have my ID, what's the problem? I felt there was judgment as far as was my information correct or was it fraudulent.' In the post-election survey, over half of gender-nonconforming respondents said they took at least one safety precaution when voting, compared with about a third of men and women who said they took at least one precaution. Thirteen percent of gender-nonconforming respondents reported experiencing verbal harassment, intimidation and threats compared to 5.2 percent of men and 4.8 percent of women. In all, 18 percent of gender-nonconforming voters reported experiencing violence or harassment during the 2024 election season. 'I am obviously queer when you look at me, and I've been harassed for it,' said another focus group participant, an Asian-American Democratic voter. 'Depending on how I do my hair or what I wear [on election] day, it's a higher chance I'll get harassed. If I was girly, I would be afraid someone could see through that and do me harm.' The post Political tension and fears of violence may have depressed voter turnout in 2024 appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
