Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, arrives at the Elysée Palace in Paris, France on July 1, 2021.
Mustafa Yarsin | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Melinda French Gatesex-wife Microsoft She will step down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation next month, co-founder Bill Gates announced Monday.
France’s Gates said in a statement that now is a “critical moment” to protect and promote women’s rights around the world. The news comes almost three years after Gates announced his divorce.
She said that as a result of her resignation and Gates’ divorce settlement, she would receive “an additional $12.5 billion for work on behalf of women and families.” The couple divorced in May 2021.
Bill Gates in a separate statement “I’m sorry to see Melinda go, but I’m sure she will have a huge impact on the charity’s work going forward.”
The Gates Foundation’s work focuses on global anti-poverty and global health initiatives, including anti-malaria efforts in Africa and broad investments in the Indian subcontinent and South Asia.
French Gates has also invested a lot of time and money into gender equality initiatives around the world. In 2015, she founded key venture capital firmis an independent entity of the Gates Foundation dedicated to removing barriers to access and opportunity for minorities and women in the United States
Financial breakdown after divorce
On February 22, 2016, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda were interviewed in New York.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
After more than two years, Gates and French Gates split in 2021 CNBC first reported the Microsoft co-founder’s relationship with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
France’s Bill Gates begins meeting with divorce lawyer 2019, According to a previous report by the Wall Street Journal, news of Gates’ relationship with Epstein first came to light.
The Gates Foundation has been one of the most powerful private philanthropic forces in the world in recent decades. Gates donated most of his fortune, as well as his family office Cascade, to the Gates Foundation.
French Gates joins MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos, in keeping her philanthropic efforts completely separate from those of her ex-husband.
Below is France’s Gates’ full statement:
After much thought and consideration, I have decided to step down as Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. June 7th was my last day at the foundation.
This was not a decision I made lightly. I am extremely proud of the foundation Bill and I have built together and the extraordinary work it does to address inequality around the world. I care deeply about the foundation team, our partners around the world, and everyone touched by its work.
I am confident in taking this step because the Foundation is in good shape and its very capable CEO Mark Suzman, executive leadership team, and experienced Board of Directors will ensure that all of its important work continues . Now is the perfect time for me to enter a new chapter in philanthropy.
This is a critical moment for women and girls in the United States and around the world—those fighting to protect and advance equality desperately need support. Under the terms of my agreement with Bill, after leaving the Foundation, I will receive an additional $12.5 billion to work on behalf of women and families. I will share more about it in the near future.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
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