A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitor, comprising: (a) a movable component being movable with respect to a substrate, the movable component comprising a bottom surface facing the substrate and a top surface opposing the bottom surface; (b) first and second actuation electrodes (MAE1, SAE1) being spaced apart, wherein the first actuation electrode is attached to the top surface of the movable component, wherein the second actuation electrode is attached to the substrate, and wherein the first actuation electrode is movable with respect to the second actuation electrode when a voltage is applied across the first and second actuation electrodes; (c) a third actuation electrode attached to the bottom surface of the movable component and opposing the first actuation electrode, wherein the third actuation electrode is in electrical communication with the first actuation electrode; (d) a first capacitive electrode attached to the top surface of the movable component; (e) a second capacitive electrode attached to the substrate and spaced from the first capacitive electrode for movement of the first capacitive electrode with respect to the second capacitive electrode upon application of the voltage across the first and second actuation electrodes to change the capacitance between the first and second capacitive electrodes, wherein the capacitive electrodes are spaced closer to one another than the actuation electrodes; (f) a third capacitive electrode attached to the bottom surface of the movable component and opposing the first capacitive electrode, wherein the third capacitive electrode is in electrical communication with the first capacitive electrode; and (g) a plurality of tethers (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6) attached to the movable component for suspending the movable component above the substrate, wherein the tethers are flexible for allowing movement of the capacitive electrodes with respect to one another. (a) a movable component being movable with respect to a substrate, the movable component comprising a bottom surface facing the substrate and a top surface opposing the bottom surface; (b) first and second actuation electrodes (MAE1, SAE1) being spaced apart, wherein the first actuation electrode is attached to the top surface of the movable component, wherein the second actuation electrode is attached to the substrate, and wherein the first actuation electrode is movable with respect to the second actuation electrode when a voltage is applied across the first and second actuation electrodes; (c) a third actuation electrode attached to the bottom surface of the movable component and opposing the first actuation electrode, wherein the third actuation electrode is in electrical communication with the first actuation electrode; (d) a first capacitive electrode attached to the top surface of the movable component; (e) a second capacitive electrode attached to the substrate and spaced from the first capacitive electrode for movement of the first capacitive electrode with respect to the second capacitive electrode upon application of the voltage across the first and second actuation electrodes to change the capacitance between the first and second capacitive electrodes, wherein the capacitive electrodes are spaced closer to one another than the actuation electrodes; (f) a third capacitive electrode attached to the bottom surface of the movable component and opposing the first capacitive electrode, wherein the third capacitive electrode is in electrical communication with the first capacitive electrode; and (g) a plurality of tethers (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6) attached to the movable component for suspending the movable component above the substrate, wherein the tethers are flexible for allowing movement of the capacitive electrodes with respect to one another.