Melinda French Gates Reveals Her ‘Grandma Name’

Melinda French Gates truly cherishes her role as a grandmother, and in a recent interview, she shared some delightful insights about this new chapter in her life.

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Melinda spoke warmly about her granddaughter Leila and revealed the special name she is known by as a grandmother.

“My grandma name is Nonna,” Melinda shared with a smile. This prompted Colbert to ask, “Oh! Are you guys Italian?”

“No!” Melinda replied, laughing. “And that’s what my kids say, ‘Mom, how did that name come up?’”

She went on to explain the origin of the name with a hint of humor, “I love it. My siblings picked it, and I thought, ‘That’s great!’ I wanted something that started youthful and I don’t know…it sounded more youthful in Italian.”

Although they aren’t Italian, Melinda is proudly called “Nonna,” and it seems she enjoys telling the amusing backstory to anyone curious about it. This affectionate title even features in her X profile bio, underscoring her joy in being a grandmother.

For those unfamiliar with Melinda’s family background, she and her ex-husband Bill Gates were married from 1987 until their separation in 2021. The couple has three children: Jennifer Katherine Gates, born in April 1996, Rory John, born in May 1998, and Phoebe Adele, born in September 2002.

Jennifer, Melinda and Bill’s eldest daughter, welcomed her own daughter, Leila, in March 2023 with her husband Nayel Nassar, marking Bill and Melinda’s entry into grandparenthood.

Melinda, known for her love and dedication to her children, gave a rare public statement on her X account in 2021, sharing a heartfelt photo of her three children with a caption that read, “I love being their mother. Whatever Mother’s Day means to you—a day to celebrate a mom, honor a memory, or reflect on your own resilience—I hope your day is a meaningful one.”

Through these glimpses into her personal life, Melinda French Gates continues to show her deep affection for her family and the joy she finds in every new experience, including her cherished role as “Nonna.”

Source: SheKnows