Melinda Gates will leave Gates Foundation and allocate $12.5 billion for her work – vopbuzz
LOS ANGELES: Philanthropist Melinda French Gates announced Monday that she is leaving the nonprofit foundation she founded with her ex-husband Bill Gates — an organization that has become one of the most influential organizations in the world.
59-year-old French Gates’ announcement comes three years after he divorced his 68-year-old wife Microsoft co-founder.
Under the agreement between the former ruling couple, French Gates, whose resignation will take effect on June 7, will receive $12.5 billion to be used for philanthropic efforts. women And families“
“After careful consideration and consideration, I have decided to resign from my role co-chairman of the bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” French Gates wrote in a statement posted on social media.
“This is a critical moment for women and girls in the United States and around the world, and those fighting to protect and advance equality need urgent support.”
The announcement comes during an election year in the United States, when abortion is expected to play a pivotal role; Democrats are trying to exploit voter dissatisfaction with Republican efforts to restrict access to the procedure.
French Gates has long-standing connections with prominent Democratic Party politicians.
“Melinda, this is so exciting,” former secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wrote to X.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done so far and I can’t wait to see everything you do next. Onward!”
Bill Gates married Melinda French in 1994. The couple has three children, but they announced their divorce in 2021.
They continued to co-chair the foundation they founded, using the great fortune gained from the success of Microsoft.
But a break in the lead was always a possibility.
In July 2021, the Seattle-based foundation announced that the couple would continue to work together following their marital separation, but the agreement was subject to review.
“If after two years they determine that they cannot continue to work together as co-chairmen, French Gates will resign as co-chairman and trustee,” a statement at the time said.
“In such a case, French Gates will receive personal resources from Gates for his philanthropic work. These resources will be completely separate from and unaffected by the foundation’s donation.”
Focusing on child poverty and preventable diseases, the foundation is heavily involved in the fight against malaria and providing toilets and sanitation in impoverished parts of the world.
It is stated on the foundation’s website that 53.8 billion dollars have been spent since 2000, and it is claimed that the number of children dying before their fifth birthday worldwide has decreased by half during this period.
Bill Gates thanked his ex-wife on Monday for her “critical contributions” to the organization.
“As co-founder and co-chair, Melinda has been instrumental in shaping our strategies and initiatives and has significantly impacted global health and gender equality,” he said.
“I’m sad to see Melinda leave, but I’m sure she will have a huge impact on our future philanthropic work.”
The organization’s chief executive, Mark Suzman, said its name will simply change to the Gates Foundation.
“I truly admire Melinda and the critical role she played in establishing the foundation and establishing our values; she has been instrumental in everything we have accomplished over the last 24 years,” he said. social media.
“I will miss working with and learning from him. I look forward to seeing his continued impact.”
59-year-old French Gates’ announcement comes three years after he divorced his 68-year-old wife Microsoft co-founder.
Under the agreement between the former ruling couple, French Gates, whose resignation will take effect on June 7, will receive $12.5 billion to be used for philanthropic efforts. women And families“
“After careful consideration and consideration, I have decided to resign from my role co-chairman of the bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” French Gates wrote in a statement posted on social media.
“This is a critical moment for women and girls in the United States and around the world, and those fighting to protect and advance equality need urgent support.”
The announcement comes during an election year in the United States, when abortion is expected to play a pivotal role; Democrats are trying to exploit voter dissatisfaction with Republican efforts to restrict access to the procedure.
French Gates has long-standing connections with prominent Democratic Party politicians.
“Melinda, this is so exciting,” former secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wrote to X.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done so far and I can’t wait to see everything you do next. Onward!”
Bill Gates married Melinda French in 1994. The couple has three children, but they announced their divorce in 2021.
They continued to co-chair the foundation they founded, using the great fortune gained from the success of Microsoft.
But a break in the lead was always a possibility.
In July 2021, the Seattle-based foundation announced that the couple would continue to work together following their marital separation, but the agreement was subject to review.
“If after two years they determine that they cannot continue to work together as co-chairmen, French Gates will resign as co-chairman and trustee,” a statement at the time said.
“In such a case, French Gates will receive personal resources from Gates for his philanthropic work. These resources will be completely separate from and unaffected by the foundation’s donation.”
Focusing on child poverty and preventable diseases, the foundation is heavily involved in the fight against malaria and providing toilets and sanitation in impoverished parts of the world.
It is stated on the foundation’s website that 53.8 billion dollars have been spent since 2000, and it is claimed that the number of children dying before their fifth birthday worldwide has decreased by half during this period.
Bill Gates thanked his ex-wife on Monday for her “critical contributions” to the organization.
“As co-founder and co-chair, Melinda has been instrumental in shaping our strategies and initiatives and has significantly impacted global health and gender equality,” he said.
“I’m sad to see Melinda leave, but I’m sure she will have a huge impact on our future philanthropic work.”
The organization’s chief executive, Mark Suzman, said its name will simply change to the Gates Foundation.
“I truly admire Melinda and the critical role she played in establishing the foundation and establishing our values; she has been instrumental in everything we have accomplished over the last 24 years,” he said. social media.
“I will miss working with and learning from him. I look forward to seeing his continued impact.”
