Bill and Melinda Gates announce divorce after 27 years, saying “we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple”…
Bill Gates is best known as the founder of Microsoft, and leveraged his fortune at the helm of that company working together with Melinda Gates to form the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. The Gates Foundation has since grown to become one of — if not the largest — charitable foundations in the world, with an endowment of almost $50 billion.
Bill had previously stepped away from his positions at Microsoft as CEO (in 2000), a full-time employee (in 2008), and a member of the company’s board in order, he claims, to better focus on philanthropy.
It’s not clear what impact the Gates’ separation will have on the Gates Foundation.
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According to the released statement, the Gates still both share a belief in the Gates Foundation’s mission, and “will continue our work together at the foundation” despite their separation. While both Bill and Melinda — along with fellow multi-billionaire Warren Buffet — serve as trustees for the Gates Foundation, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman.
