Melinda French Gates Leaves Gates Foundation to Start Own Philanthropy with $12.5B Endowment!

Melinda French Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ex-wife of billionaire Bill Gates, has announced her decision to leave the foundation to pursue her own philanthropic initiatives. This move marks a significant shift in one of the world’s most influential charitable organizations.

Melinda’s Decision to Step Away

On her Instagram account, Melinda, 59, revealed that her last day as co-chair of the foundation would be June 7. “This was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “I am incredibly proud of the foundation Bill and I built together and the extraordinary work it is doing to address inequality around the world.”

Under her agreement with Bill Gates, Melinda will receive $12.5 billion to fund her independent charitable endeavors. Foundation CEO Mark Suzman highlighted her intention to focus on empowering women and improving the lives of women and families.

“This is a critical time for women and girls in the United States and globally. Those fighting to protect and promote equality need urgent support,” Melinda emphasized in her statement.

Bill Gates Acknowledges Melinda’s Contributions

Bill Gates, 68, expressed gratitude for Melinda’s contributions since the foundation’s inception. “I’m sorry to see Melinda leave, but I’m confident she will have a tremendous impact in her future philanthropic work,” Gates wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The couple, who married in 1994, co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. Despite their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage and three children, both had initially pledged to continue working together on the foundation’s mission.

The Foundation’s Legacy

Since its establishment, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has become the world’s largest private charitable organization, dedicating its resources to addressing global inequalities. The foundation has donated $77.6 billion to date and had a fund valuation of $75.2 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Its initiatives focus on improving global health care, reducing poverty, and advancing educational opportunities and access to information technology, particularly in the United States. The foundation has been a driving force in efforts to combat diseases such as malaria and polio and has played a pivotal role in increasing vaccination access in developing countries.

Melinda’s New Philanthropic Focus

Melinda’s departure signals a new chapter in her philanthropic journey, with a dedicated emphasis on women’s rights and equality. Her independent efforts aim to address systemic barriers and create opportunities for women and families, areas she has long championed during her tenure at the foundation.

The departure of Melinda French Gates from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation marks a major transition for the organization and for global philanthropy. While the foundation will continue its critical work under Bill Gates and its leadership team, Melinda’s independent ventures promise to extend her impact in new and focused directions. Both contributions reflect a shared commitment to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, albeit now through separate paths.