Microsoft's Bill, Melinda Gates End The Marriage After 27 Years

Founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, and his wife and fellow philanthropist Melinda announced on Monday that they are ending their 27-year marriage.

One of the world’s wealthiest couples with a joint wealth of approximately $130 billion, Gates has fed billions into charitable work across the globe through their hugely influential foundation.

In announcing their divorce on Twitter, the couple stated that they would carry on their joint efforts on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which funds programs in many sectors including global health, gender equality, education, and other causes.

“After much thinking and spending a lot of time and effort on our relationship, we have decided to discontinue our marriage,” they elaborated in a joint statement, which is also posted on each of their official accounts.

“Since the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and made a foundation to facilitate all people worldwide to enjoy healthy, productive lives,” they wrote.

“We continue to have a common belief in that mission and will keep on working together at the foundation, but we no longer trust that we can excel together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.” 

The statement did not mention additional details on the split but said: “We ask for space as well as privacy for our family as we begin to direct this new life.”

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The announcement of ending their marriage comes two years after the divorce of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and his wife MacKenzie another world’s wealthiest people.