Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Melinda Gates announced their divorce on May 3, local time. Gates divorce papers obtained by U.S. media show that Melinda did not need any spousal support after filing for divorce.
TMZ, a celebrity gossip news site owned by Time Warner, said on May 3rd that it had obtained Gates’ divorce papers. According to the document, Melinda drafted the application on the grounds that the breakdown of the marriage was irreversible. The document asked the judge to rule to terminate the marriage “on the date stated in the separation agreement”. The separation agreement was not included in the divorce petition, but it was clear that the two had earlier separated and signed such a document.
TMZ reported that the document showed that there was no prenuptial agreement (PRENUP) between Bill Gates and Melinda because the only written agreement relating to the divorce was the separation agreement, according to the divorce filing.
In addition, Melinda did not ask for any spousal support in her divorce application.
Bill Gates and Melinda met at Microsoft in 1978, when she was just starting out as a product manager at Microsoft, Forbes reported. The two married in 1994. Bill Gates became the world’s youngest billionaire when Microsoft went public in 1996. Bill gates and Melinda founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to improve global health.
Bill Gates and Melinda will continue to work together at the foundation or influence donations after their divorce
Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Melinda Gates announced their divorce on the evening of May 3, local time, ending their 27-year marriage. Gates said in a statement that the couple will continue to work at the Gates Foundation after the divorce, but U.S. media analysts believe the divorce will still affect the amount of money they donate to the foundation.
“Over the past 27 years, we have raised three wonderful children and established a foundation dedicated to enabling all of the world to live a healthy and productive life.” “We continue to believe in this mission and will continue our work at the Foundation, but we no longer believe that we can continue to grow together as a couple at the next stage of our lives,” Gates said in a joint statement posted on Twitter with Melinda. We hope that when we set sail for a new life, our family will have space and privacy. ”
But although Gates said in a statement that he plans to continue working with Melinda on a foundation basis after the divorce, the couple’s divorce could affect how much they donate to the Gates Foundation, either individually or jointly, according to Forbes.
Bill Gates and Melinda met at Microsoft in 1978, when she was just starting out as a product manager at Microsoft, Forbes reported. The two married in 1994. Bill Gates became the world’s youngest billionaire when Microsoft went public in 1996. Bill gates and Melinda founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to improve global health. Bill Gates resigned as Microsoft’s CEO in 2008 to focus on the foundation.
In 2020, the Gates Foundation pledged $1.75 billion over two years to address the global new crown outbreak. By January 2021, Bill Gates and Melinda had donated $29 billion to charity. The Gates Foundation has a $49.8 billion trust fund.
The Gates divorce comes two years after another of the world’s richest couples, Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie, founders of Us e-commerce giant Amazon, announced their divorce. After Bezos’ divorce, Mackenzie owned a 4% stake in Amazon, making him one of the richest women in the world. Bezos signed the “Donation Pledge” co-founded by Bill Gates and Melinda and Buffett, giving most of their wealth to charity.
