Looking back at her time as an early Microsoft employee, Melinda Gates said the brash culture at the famously tough, revolutionary tech company made her want to quit.

In an interview with The Associated Press, she says she didn't discuss those concerns with Bill Gates, the company CEO who embodied that culture and was also her boyfriend, and later her husband.

She said telling him "wasn't my job to do that at the time." She said says drew "bright lines" around office and home life in order to work there.

In this photo taken Thursday, April 18, 2019, Melinda Gates poses for a photo with her new book, "The Moment of Lift," in Kirkland, Wash. Her new book is a memoir from the former Microsoft tech business executive, outspoken feminist and public supporter of the MeToo movement. The Associated Press reviewed an advanced copy of the book ahead of its release Tuesday. (AP PhotoElaine Thompson)

In this photo taken Thursday, April 18, 2019, Melinda Gates poses for a photo with her new book, "The Moment of Lift," in Kirkland, Wash. Her new book is a memoir from the former Microsoft tech business executive, outspoken feminist and public supporter of the MeToo movement. The Associated Press reviewed an advanced copy of the book ahead of its release Tuesday. (AP PhotoElaine Thompson)

Her new book out Tuesday, "The Moment of Lift," is a memoir and manifesto on women and power, covering her life from Catholic school girl in Texas and young Microsoft manager to wife of a public icon and leading philanthropist.

In this photo taken Thursday, April 18, 2019, Melinda Gates poses for a photo with her new book, "The Moment of Lift," in Kirkland, Wash. Her new book is a memoir from the former Microsoft tech business executive, outspoken feminist and public supporter of the MeToo movement. The Associated Press reviewed an advanced copy of the book ahead of its release Tuesday. (AP PhotoElaine Thompson)

In this photo taken Thursday, April 18, 2019, Melinda Gates poses for a photo with her new book, "The Moment of Lift," in Kirkland, Wash. Her new book is a memoir from the former Microsoft tech business executive, outspoken feminist and public supporter of the MeToo movement. The Associated Press reviewed an advanced copy of the book ahead of its release Tuesday. (AP PhotoElaine Thompson)