Melinda French Gates, the former wife of Microsoft’s founder has said she would step down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from June 7.
The 59-year-old revealed on Monday to resign from the Foundation she has co-managed with her ex-husband since 2000.
French Gates, who announced this on her X handle @melindagates disclosed that she will be getting an additional $12.5 billion to commit to her work.
This is coming three years after the Microsoft founder, Bill Gates and Melinda announced their divorce after a 27-year marriage.
According to her, “This is not a decision I came to lightly,” she said in a statement posted on X. “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.”
The Foundation’s chief executive officer, Mark Suzman, said the organisation will change its name to the Gates Foundation, and Bill Gates will become the sole chair.
“I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work,” wrote Bill Gates in a separate statement Monday, also posted on X.
“Looking ahead, I remain fully committed to the Foundation’s work across all our strategies, and to realizing the opportunities we have to continue improving the lives of millions around the world,” he wrote.
