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Head-to-head comparison

Howard Schultz vs Melinda French Gates

Who is richer—and who do voters respect more?

Melinda French Gates has the larger estimated fortune ($13B vs $4B), while the public-impact ranking measures something different: which billionaire voters believe has contributed more positively. Compare their records and cast your vote.

This matchup is based on public perception from anonymous votes. Pick the person you think had the better impact.

At a glance
Howard Schultz
Melinda French Gates
$4B
Estimated net worth
$13B
Starbucks
Main company
Microsoft (divorce settlement)
#7
Public rank
#10
29%
Matchup result
71%

Estimated net worth is shown in USD billions. The public rank and matchup result update as votes change.

Crowd vote
Howard Schultz portrait
Howard Schultz
vs
Melinda French Gates portrait
Melinda French Gates
Howard 29%71% Melinda
Vote this matchup →

The short case

Case for Howard
Expanded healthcare benefits for hourly workers; Schultz Family Foundation
What voters may question: Aggressive union-busting at Starbucks; underpaid workers relative to his wealth
Case for Melinda
Decades of global health impact; focusing new work on women and families
What voters may question: Gates Foundation's top-down approach criticized for bypassing local expertise
Howard Schultz
Melinda French Gates
1,565
ELO
1,537
56%
Win rate
51%
7d trend
57%
Divisive ↓
53%
Melinda French Gates wins the crowd vote by 42 percentage points.
Full rankings