Bill Gates And Melinda Gates Announce Divorce

Bill and Melinda Gates, one of the world's most powerful couples, announced on Monday they were divorcing after nearly 30 years of marriage, saying they could no longer “grow together”.

Bill, the billionaire founder of Microsoft, and Melinda, an author and businesswoman, announced their decision to separate after 27 years of marriage in a statement tweeted from their personal accounts.

''Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives,” the statement read.

“We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.”

The couple also asked for privacy during this time.

The divorce of the famously charitable couple is likely to send shock waves through the worlds of philanthropy, public health and business.

Their separation also leaves questions over the fate of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - the world’s largest charitable organisation - which has donated tens of billions of dollars since it was formed in 2000.

In the last year alone, the Gates Foundation made a contribution of $250 million to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and has focused on the development and distribution of vaccines around the world.  

It could also become one of the most expensive in history. Mr Gates is the fourth wealthiest man in the world and together the couple is worth an estimated $127 billion.