Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has announced her resignation as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, stating, “This is not a decision I came to lightly.”
Her last day of work is set for June 7, as detailed in a statement she posted on X on Monday.
Ms. Gates co-founded the foundation in 2000 with her then-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Despite their 2021 separation after 27 years of marriage, they had initially committed to continuing their joint philanthropic efforts as co-chairs and trustees without changes to the foundation’s structure.
The Gates Foundation, with an endowment exceeding $75 billion, is a major force in public health, focusing on initiatives to eradicate infectious diseases, alleviate poverty, and address climate change.
The couple donated over $36 billion of their wealth to the foundation from 1994 to 2018, according to its website.
In her statement, Ms. Gates expressed pride in the foundation’s work and noted that she will now have an additional $12.5 billion for her own charitable endeavors related to women and families, per an agreement with Mr. Gates.
She also highlighted her separate investment company, Pivotal Ventures, which focuses on removing barriers to opportunity for women and minority groups.
“This is a critical moment for women and girls in the US and around the world – and those fighting to protect and advance equality are in urgent need of support,” she emphasized in her statement.
Mr. Gates expressed regret at seeing Melinda leave but anticipated her significant impact in future philanthropic endeavors.
His net worth exceeds $130.3 billion, while Ms. Gates’ fortune is valued at $11.3 billion according to Forbes.
Source-BBC
