Without love, there is no philanthropy that can endure it. This is the conclusion reached by Melinda French Gates, ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. She announced this Monday that she is resigning from sharing the presidency of the foundation she launched on the day of her marriage. She will say goodbye on June 7.
In a statement released on the X network, French Gates stressed that she is deeply proud of the work they have done in this non-profit company that started in 2000.
The announcement comes exactly three years after the couple’s divorce was announced in May 2021, at the request of Melinda, after episodes of adultery (or attempts) by Bill and his relationship with billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstin were discovered. which she found unbearable. Married for 27 years, what appeared to be a model couple of super millionaires collapsed.
But his departure does not mean the end of his work in social aid. “We are at a critical moment,” she noted, regarding the protection and advancement of women’s rights around the world. For this reason, she promised that she has an additional $12.5 billion for her commitment to work on behalf of women and their families. This money comes from her resignation and the conditions imposed in the separation agreement.
In another separate statement, Bill Gates said he regretted that Melinda was leaving the foundation. “I am convinced that she will have a great impact on his future philanthropic work,” he stressed.
The foundation, focused on the fight against poverty, has managed to be recognized as one of the most powerful organizations in philanthropy globally, especially in the areas of health and children’s education. It has made a significant contribution in reducing deaths caused by malaria in Africa and other infectious diseases. He has also carried out extensive work in India and South Asia.
Being one of the large donor companies to the World Health Organization (WHO), this has also given it a lot of political influence in developing countries.
Additionally, Melinda has invested significant amounts of money and time in global gender equality initiatives. In 2015 she founded Pivotal Ventures, a separate entity from the Gates Foundation that focused on removing barriers to opportunities for minorities and women in the United States.
French Gates joins the club of Mackenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos, by completely separating her philanthropic ventures from her respective previous partners.
