On 13th May, 2024, Melinda French Gates said that she would resign from her position as the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Melinda has been helping in leading the foundation since 2000. However, after her decision to resign, her last day with the foundation will be 7th June, 2024.
“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. I am taking this step with full confidence the foundation is in strong shape. The time is right for me to move forward into the next chapter of my philanthropy,” Melinda stated.
— Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) May 13, 2024
The resignation comes almost 3 years after the divorce was announced between Bill and Melinda Gates in May 2021. As part of her separation agreement from her former husband Bill Gates, Melinda will receive an additional $12.5 billion for her charitable contributions.
Melinda said she now plans to concentrate her efforts on supporting initiatives for empowering women and assisting families.
After French Gates’ departure, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s name will be changed to Gates Foundation.
How did Bill Gates respond to the news?
After Melinda’s decision to resign, Bill Gates took it to X (formerly Twitter) and said, “I want to thank Melinda for her critical contributions to the Foundation from its very beginning. As a co-founder and co-chair Melinda has been instrumental in shaping our strategies and initiatives, significantly impacting global health and gender equality. I am sorry to see her leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work.”
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He said that he will continue to work with the foundation after Melinda’s resignation. He added,” 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. Our foundation team is incredibly strong and deeply passionate about our work, and under the leadership of Mark Suzman, and a committed board of trustees, I am confident we will keep making substantial progress on our mission to create a world where every person can live a healthy, productive life. ” For clarification, Mark Suzman is the CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
About Melinda French Gates
Melinda French Gates, 59, is an American philanthropist, former multimedia product developer and Microsoft manager. She is the ex-wife of Microsoft’s co-founder and billionaire Bill Gates. She is also the author of the bestseller ‘The Moment of Lift’, in which she introduces readers to the inspiring women she has had the chance to meet during her work and travel. Forbes magazine describes her as one of the most powerful women in the world.