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Bill Gates is one of themost successful men in the world, but he had a hard time getting his now wife MelindaGates to agree to a date.
Melinda (then Melinda French) first met the Microsoft co-founder and CEO in 1987 when she was hired as a product manager. It wasn't until several months later that Bill called her to ask her out on a date.
"He said, 'You know, I was thinking maybe we could go out two weeks from [tonight],' " Melinda told AOL. "Two weeks from tonight," she responded to Bill. "I have no idea what I'm doing two weeks from tonight. You aren't spontaneous enough for me."
Bill and Melinda are one of the most charitable couples in the world Photo: Getty Images
Clearly not willing to give up, the billionairecalled back an hour later and said "Is this spontaneous enough foryou?" The bold gesture caught the attention of Melinda and she agreed to go out with her boss.
Bill and Melinda playing golf in 1994 Photo: Getty Images
Their connection turned into seven years of datingbefore marrying on January 1, 1994. And money was a topic that they discussedearly on. "Late in the dating stages, we talked about the wealth," addedMelinda. "It was our first trip to Africa. At the end of that trip, on abeach walk, we said, 'Absolutely, the vast majority of these resources will goback to society.' We just committed to it. It was just a natural, easy decisionfor us."
The couple can often be seen giving talks together Photo: Getty Images
The powerful couple founded the Bill & MelindaGates Foundation, but Melinda stayed out of the spotlight to raise their three daughters privately until 2008. "I kept thinking if I'm telling my girls athome, especially my oldest daughter, that she should step out as a woman anduse her voice in the world, I thought am I role modeling that for her?"
The very hands-on couple travel to poverty-stricken places Photo: Getty Images
Melinda is now a very public advocate of thefoundation, giving talks around the world on the topic of women's issues.