Melinda French Gates, ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, announced Monday that she was stepping down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, three years after separating from the 68-year-old philanthropist.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Melinda French Gates said it was a “critical moment” to protect and promote women's rights around the world.
The couple separated in May 2021, but continued their relationship within the organization they founded together in 2000.
The statement also noted that the 59-year-old will have an additional $12.5 billion to commit to her work on behalf of women and families as a result of her resignation and the Gates' prior divorce settlement.
Bill Gates in a statement said: “I'm sorry to see Melinda leaving, but I'm sure she will have a great impact on her future philanthropic work.”
Melinda French Gates, ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, announced Monday that she was stepping down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, three years after separating from the 68-year-old philanthropist.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Melinda French Gates said it was a “critical moment” to protect and promote women's rights around the world.
The couple separated in May 2021, but continued their relationship within the organization they founded together in 2000.
The statement also noted that the 59-year-old will have an additional $12.5 billion to commit to her work on behalf of women and families as a result of her resignation and the Gates' prior divorce settlement.
Bill Gates in a statement said: “I'm sorry to see Melinda leaving, but I'm sure she will have a great impact on her future philanthropic work.”
The Gates Foundation focused its assistance on ending poverty and strengthening global healthcare systems, including the campaign against malaria and polio in Africa and Asia.
Melinda supported the global push for gender equality. She also founded Pivotal Ventures, separately from the Gates Foundation, in 2015.
The couple split after more than two decades of marriage after a New York Times report surfaced that found the Microsoft co-founder's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Gates Foundation is one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world.
Melinda has now joined Mackenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, in separating her ex-husband's philanthropic ventures.
