The end of a long and fruitful collaboration. Melinda Gates, who headed one of the most influential philanthropic foundations in the world, announced this Monday, May 13 that she would leave this organization, founded with her now ex-husband, Bill Gates.
Melinda Gates said on that she was “immensely proud” of the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, created by the couple in 2000. Her last day within this organization, particularly committed to health and poverty reduction, will be the 7 June.
The foundation is a major donor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and has considerable influence on policies in developing countries, particularly in the areas of health and education. His work has, among other things, made it possible to reduce mortality linked to malaria and other infectious diseases.
Bill and Melinda Gates announced their plans to divorce in May 2021, after 27 years of marriage. The foundation said at the time that they would remain co-presidents of the organization.
“Addressing the next chapter of my philanthropy”
“The time has come for me to embark on the next chapter of my philanthropy,” explained Melinda Gates, adding that she would have $12.5 billion to engage “with women and families.” “This is a pivotal moment for women and girls in the United States and around the world, and those fighting to protect and advance equality urgently need support,” she added.
For his part, Bill Gates praised his wife’s “essential contributions” to the foundation. “I’m sorry to see Melinda go, but I’m sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work,” he said onadding that he remained “fully committed” to the foundation.
After this departure, the organization will be renamed and will bear the name Gates Foundation, said its executive director, Mark Suzman. Bill Gates, who founded Microsoft in 1975, left the board of directors of the IT group in 2020 to devote himself fully to the foundation he had created with his wife.