Melinda French Faces Criticism for Cashing In on Bill Gates' Legacy While Advising Kids Against the Same

Bill Gates’ daughter has recently unveiled a family regulation that has ignited much speculation among fans regarding her mother and the allocation of the billionaire's alimony. Phoebe Gates, one of the three children from Gates' former 27-year union with Melinda French Gates, disclosed during her podcast that she and her siblings were prohibited from using their renowned surname in childhood. Phoebe, 23, stated, “My parents were intentional about ensuring we didn’t use my dad’s last name until high school.” This approach, based on Melinda's maiden name French, allowed the children to form genuine friendships without the weight of their father's fame. Online responses varied, with one fan commenting that the name restriction seemed to apply only until it became advantageous. Many questioned Melinda’s continued use of Gates’ name post-divorce and her philanthropic endeavors, highlighting the complexity of her situation while the family dwelling, the luxurious “Xanadu 2.0,” drew comments for its grandiosity as well.

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