I'm constantly saying to myself, 'I'm lucky I was born in the United States.

I'm constantly saying to myself, 'I'm lucky I was born in the United States.

Melinda Gates

Having children made us look differently at all these things that we take for granted, like taking your child to get a vaccine against measles or polio.

Having children made us look differently at all these things that we take for granted, like taking your child to get a vaccine against measles or polio.

I realized that the only way to get into a good college was to be valedictorian or salutatorian. So that was my goal.

I realized that the only way to get into a good college was to be valedictorian or salutatorian. So that was my goal.

The premise of this foundation is one life on this planet is no more valuable than the next.

The premise of this foundation is one life on this planet is no more valuable than the next.

The biggest killers of children around the world are two things: diarrhea and pneumonia. When you think about it, in the United States, kids don't die of diarrhea anymore, but it's a huge problem in the developing world.

The biggest killers of children around the world are two things: diarrhea and pneumonia. When you think about it, in the United States, kids don't die of diarrhea anymore, but it's a huge problem in the developing world.

Microsoft certainly makes products for the Macintosh.

Microsoft certainly makes products for the Macintosh.

But iPods and iPhones are two things we don't get for our kids.

But iPods and iPhones are two things we don't get for our kids.

Sanitation issues in the developing world affect women more than they affect men.

Sanitation issues in the developing world affect women more than they affect men.

As a parent, the responsible thing to do - if you love your child - is to vaccinate your child.

As a parent, the responsible thing to do - if you love your child - is to vaccinate your child.

After a number of years dating, we decided we were good partners.

After a number of years dating, we decided we were good partners.

Kids are falling through the cracks and nobody notices it. That to me is what's wrong with the school system.

Kids are falling through the cracks and nobody notices it. That to me is what's wrong with the school system.

I felt suicidal. I couldn't stop crying. I remember thinking, wouldn't it be great if the car crashed and I died?

I felt suicidal. I couldn't stop crying. I remember thinking, wouldn't it be great if the car crashed and I died?

Helping people doesn't have to be an unsound financial strategy.

Helping people doesn't have to be an unsound financial strategy.

It's important to remember that behind every data point is a daughter, a mother, a sister—a person with hopes and dreams.

It's important to remember that behind every data point is a daughter, a mother, a sister—a person with hopes and dreams.

You can have the best vaccines for a woman or her child, but if you can't get her to come and get them then they won't work.

You can have the best vaccines for a woman or her child, but if you can't get her to come and get them then they won't work.

Our desire to bring every good thing to our children is a force for good throughout the world. It’s what propels societies forward.

Our desire to bring every good thing to our children is a force for good throughout the world. It’s what propels societies forward.

I'm wholehearted about whatever I do.

I'm wholehearted about whatever I do.

Bill and I both firmly believe that even the most difficult global health problems can be solved.

Bill and I both firmly believe that even the most difficult global health problems can be solved.

If you don't have an effective teacher in front of the classroom, you won't change the trajectory for students.

If you don't have an effective teacher in front of the classroom, you won't change the trajectory for students.