On 4th May, the world’s most famous and powerful philanthropist couple, Bill Gates, and his wife Melinda Gates announced that they are separating after 27 years as they feel they cannot grow together in the next phase of their life. Melinda Gates has filed a petition for divorce in King Country, Washington. In their petition, they asked the court to dissolve their marriage based on their separation contract and there are no details regarding money.
“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage, and that they will be managing their foundation together.” the pair wrote in a tweet. The pair also said that for 27 years they raised their three children and foundation to give productive and healthy lives to people and they will continue to do so.
As we all know, Bill Gates is an American business tycoon, investor, software developer, and philanthropist. In 1975, he co-founded Microsoft with his friend Paul Allen. With time, Microsoft becomes the world’s largest personal computer company. He is the 4th richest man in the World according to Forbes.
Melinda Ann Gates is a former General Manager at Microsoft and an American philanthropist. In 2000, Bill and Melinda co-founded the foundation named BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION in Seattle.
How did they meet?
In 1987, Melinda joined Microsoft as a Product Manager as the Only Woman in the first class of MBA graduates. Melinda had written a book – ”The Moment of Lift” in which she describes the encounter with Bill Gates. She describes that she showed up late at business dinner in New York, there are only 2 chairs left and she sat on one and a moment later Bill Gates sit next to him.
In 2016, in an interview with Robin Roberts, she mentioned that he took a lot of time before he asked her out. In 1994, they get married in Hawaii island Lanai. And they have 3 children.
If you want to know more about their personal life and their foundation you can watch their Documentary on Netflix which was released in 2019 named Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates.
What about their Foundation?
Their foundation focuses on public health, climate change, and education. They have used over $34billion on their foundation for charity purposes. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they also give $1.75 billion to vaccine initiatives and for research purposes.
In March 2020, Bill Gates stepped down from his position at Microsoft and Berkshire Hathway to give more time to his philanthropist. They mentioned in their tweet they will manage their foundation together in the future also.
Everyone has the right to make a decision. They know better and we are no one to comment on their personal life. In the end, what matters is that they are happy and nothing at all.