The billionaire philanthropist talks contraceptives, women's empowerment and her new book in Silicon Valley. : The billionaire philanthropist talks contraceptives, women's empowerment and her new book in Silicon Valley. Melinda Gates published her first book, a part autobiography, part call to arms over women's issues, last month. She's even pitched it with Oprah. One of Melinda Gates' pet peeves is that when people would discuss her and her husband's rolls at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, they'd call him the brains and her the heart. "That's complete bull," she said.