Melinda French Gates, the former wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, announced on Monday her resignation as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, three years after their separation.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Melinda French Gates described this as a “critical moment” to protect and advance women’s rights globally.
Although the couple parted ways in May 2021, they continued their collaboration within the foundation they established together in 2000.
The statement also mentioned that, following her resignation and the terms of their divorce agreement, the 59-year-old will have an additional $12.5 billion to dedicate to her advocacy for women and families.
Bill Gates expressed his sentiments in a statement, saying, “I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work.”
The Gates Foundation has been a key player in efforts to end poverty and strengthen global health care systems, including initiatives against malaria and polio in Africa and Asia.
Melinda French Gates has also been a strong supporter of gender equality worldwide. In 2015, she founded Pivotal Ventures, an independent organization from the Gates Foundation.
Their split in May 2021 came after over two decades of marriage, following a report by The New York Times highlighting Bill Gates’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Gates Foundation remains one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. Melinda French Gates now joins Mackenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, in leading independent philanthropic efforts separate from those of her ex-husband.
