Melinda Gates has announced that she was leaving the philanthropy mega foundation she established with her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Her resignation as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which becomes effective on June 7, 2024, will leave Bill Gates as the sole chair of one of the world’s most influential and powerful non-governmental organisations.
Melinda wrote in a statement on her X page that after careful thought, she have decided to resign from her role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
The statement gave no reason for her decision, but noted that under the terms of agreement with Bill, in leaving the foundation, she will have an additional $12.5 billion to commit to her services on behalf of women and families.
The couple had continued to co-chair the foundation which they established in 2001 with the vast wealth acquired through the success of Microsoft.
With a focus on child poverty and preventable diseases, the foundation has been heavily involved in fighting malaria and in providing toilets and sanitation in poorer parts of the world.
In his response, Bill Gates thanked his ex-wife for her “critical contributions” to the organisation, saying as a co-founder and co-chair Melinda has been instrumental in shaping the foundation strategies and initiatives, significantly impacting global health and gender equality.
He wrote on X, “I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work.
The foundation’s chief executive, Mark Suzman, said the organisation’s name would change to simply the Gates Foundation to honor Bill Sr.’s legacy and Melinda’s contributions, and Bill will become the sole Chair of the foundation, he also wrote in a statement on X.