Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda French Gates, have officially announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage. The couple, who co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charitable organizations in the world, shared the news in a joint statement, citing that they “no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.”
The Gateses, who married in 1994, have three children together and have been prominent figures in both business and philanthropy for decades. Their foundation, launched in 2000, has focused on global health, education, and poverty alleviation, contributing billions to various causes worldwide.
While the couple emphasized their continued partnership in running the foundation, their divorce has raised questions about the future of their joint philanthropic efforts. “We continue to share a belief in the mission of the foundation and will continue our work together, but we no longer see ourselves as a couple in this journey,” the statement read.
The split follows a period of personal reflection for both Bill and Melinda, though no specific details were provided about the reasons behind the divorce. The couple had reportedly been undergoing a process of reevaluation for some time before arriving at the decision.
The news marks the end of one of the most influential marriages in the tech world, with Bill Gates having co-founded Microsoft and becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in history. Melinda, meanwhile, has emerged as a powerful advocate for women’s rights and global health, with her work at the foundation receiving international acclaim.
Details of the divorce settlement have not been disclosed, though it is expected to involve significant assets, given Bill Gates’ estimated $130 billi
on fortune.
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