Melinda Gates exits Gates Foundation to start her independent charity

Philanthropist and ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, has resigned as a co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, French Gate shared that her last day of work would be 7 June 2024.

“After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” she said in a statement shared on X. 

“This is not a decision I came to lightly. I am immensely proud of the foundation that Bill and I built together and of the extraordinary work it is doing to address inequities around the world. I care deeply about the foundation team, our partners around the world, and everyone who is touched by its work,” the philanthropist said.  

French Gates said the time was right for her to move forward into the next chapter of her philanthropy. 

“I am taking this step with full confidence that the foundation is in strong shape, with its extremely capable CEO Mark Suzman, the executive leadership team, and an experienced board of trustees in place to ensure all its important work continues,” she said. 

Calling this a “critical moment” for women and girls in the US and around the world, French Gates emphasized support for those who are fighting to champion equality. 

Under the terms of her agreement with Bill Gates, she will have access to an additional $12.5 billion to carry on with her “work on behalf of women and families.”

The foundation’s chief executive, Mark Suzman, shared in a statement that French Gates came to this decision after careful consideration based on how she wants to spend “the next chapter of her philanthropy.”

“I truly admire Melinda, and the critical role she has played in starting the foundation and in setting our values, she has played an essential role in all that we’ve accomplished over the past 24 years. I will miss working with her and learning from her. I look forward to seeing her continued impact,” said Suzman. 

He announced that with her exit, the organization’s name will be changed to Gates Foundation, and Bill Gates will become the sole chair of the foundation.

Bill Gates took to X to react to the announcement and expressed his gratitude. 

“I want to thank Melinda for her critical contributions to the Foundation from its very beginning,” he said. 

“I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work,” the Microsoft co-founder said.

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage. The two, however, continued to work on their philanthropic endeavor, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which the couple founded in 2000. 

Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates have given away more than US$59 billion so far for philanthropic work through the foundation.