CAPTION: Bill Gates and Melinda French announced their separation 27 years after marriage. SOURCE: instagram@thebillgates Bill Gates, a billionaire businessman, and Melinda French, an author, and businesswoman, who got married in 1994 announced their separation after 27 years of marriage.
Both individuals announced this news via their Twitter accounts on 4th May of 2021, Tuesday. The couple filed for divorce at a court in Seattle.
Announcement of the separation
Bill Gates and Melinda French, announced their separation via a joint statement on Twitter after 27 years of marriage. The reason behind their split is unknown however Melinda has previously pointed out that he was having difficulty in balancing his work and family life.
They, in the statement, told that they will continue working together in Bill and Melinda foundation to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives.
How did Bill and Melinda meet?
Bill and Melinda first met in 1987. Melinda joined Bill's Microsoft company as a product manager.
They dated for around seven years. Melinda also states that she was attracted to his brilliant mind and his personality.
The couple tied the knot in a hotel in Hawaii. The cost of the event was more than $1 million US dollars.
To keep the wedding private, Bill did the things only a billionaire can do. He booked all the rooms in the hotel and also all the helicopters on the island of Maui to prevent unwanted visitors.
Bill and Melinda have three children, Phoebe Adele Gates, Jennifer Katharine Gates, and Rory John Gates.
CAPTION: Melinda French Gates with her three children. SOURCE: instagram@melindafrenchgates Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is the world's largest private foundation, holding $50 billion US dollars in assets founded by Bill and Melinda in 2000.
They have stated that they were always determined to use their resources to create a healthy world. The news about the demise of millions of children in poor countries with diseases that can be cured easily shocked them and so they decided to open the foundation.
The foundation's main goal is to improvise healthcare, solve extreme worldwide poverty and hunger, and expand education and technology.
Future of the couple
The pair with $146 billion US dollars however made no public hint of their financial plans.
Janet George, the family lawyer, said that it is not mandatory for a 50-50 split. She also stated that the public might never find the split of fortune as it can be hidden behind private contracts.
As the couple wrote in their tweet, they will work together at the foundation after the finalization of the divorce.