In a new memoir, French Gates writes about the end of her marriage to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and her ongoing philanthropic work, directing funds and attention to women's health initiatives.

The philanthropist is spending $1 billion — and leveraging her ever-growing celebrity — to call more attention to the systemic problems facing women and girls. Now she's focusing even more on women's health.

The 59-year-old says her decision to donate $1 billion was in part due to the racial gap in women's mortality rates. She most recently stepped down as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is funding efforts to elect more women to public office through her company, Pivotal Ventures.