Melinda French Gates revealed that her ex-husband
Bill Gates
did not seek her input before deciding to donate the substantial wealth amassed by the foundation they established together.
The
Microsoft
founder, 69, announced on Thursday he will
give away 99 per cent of his immense fortune
In the upcoming years, allocating only one percent for himself and his offspring.
‘This particular decision was made after I left,’ Melinda revealed. ‘It was made between Bill and Mark [Suzman, the foundation’s CEO] and the board, and I think it’s a fantastic decision.’
He is shuttering the Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045, effectively ending a lifelong project to give away his multi-billion fortune.
The technology tycoon intends to donate nearly all of his fortune, around $200 billion, over the course of the coming two decades.
The Gates Foundation, which Gates founded in 2000 along with his ex-wife Melinda, who left the organization
after their divorce
, pours billions of dollars every year into health,
foreign aid
And various other government aid initiatives.
Melinda, however,
praised the move
and claimed it had always been the former couple’s plan to give away their wealth.
“That has always been the intention—that most of these resources would be returned to society. It’s wonderful to see this commitment being made publicly,” she stated.
Fortune
.
Melinda was previously an equal partner alongside her former husband at the Gates Foundation and indeed
remained associated for three years following her separation from him
.
However, in June 2024, she took this step.
shock decision
To step away from what might be the leading charitable organization globally in order to dedicate additional time to her personal venture, Pivotal Ventures, with a focus on aiding women and girls.
Regarding the unexpected early winding down of the Gates Foundation, Melinda stated to the Associated Press that ‘Bill made the call about the timeframe with input from the board of trustees.’
I prefer to believe that at this moment, the foundation’s efforts are helping a child receive a vaccination or enabling a woman to open her first bank account,” she stated. “And years into the future, these individuals’ families and communities will have transformed significantly due to the opportunities created by that child and woman for those surrounding them.
Gates will retain only one percent of his fortune, which still amounts to approximately $1.62 billion.
He has
three adult children
He informs Melinda about Phoebe, Rory, and Jennifer — who are expected to receive the majority of the leftover millions in cash that Gates possesses after his passing.
Melinda, who notably separated from Bill in 2021, has recently returned to the public eye to advocate for her new memoir, where she speaks openly about her experiences.
contemplates the significant changes in her life, such as her widely publicized separation
.
In April, the 60-year-old philanthropist
stunned Late Show host Stephen Colbert with her candid answer about the end of her 27-year marriage with the Microsoft founder.
She told Colbert that her connection with the father of her three kids was missing trust and honesty, leading her to depart.
“I discovered the importance of having a trustworthy relationship, something I desired in marriage; for this to happen, both spouses must be truthful with each other,” Melinda stated.
And if this isn’t possible, then intimacy and trust cannot be achieved. In conclusion, I decided I needed to leave.
Although Melinda didn’t specify what led to the loss of trust in their marriage, she had earlier acknowledged that her former husband’s relationship with
disgraced
Jeffrey Epstein was the main reason for their separation.
Bill has refused to say whether he was unfaithful to Melinda, but previously admitted he ‘certainly made mistakes’ in their marriage and
claimed to ‘take responsibility
.’
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