Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates is splitting from his wife of 27 years, he has announced on Twitter.
Last year the tech mogul took a step back from Microsoft’s board and now owns 1.37% of shares in the company, which Melinda, 56, worked for as a marketing manager.
The couple met at a New York trade fair in 1987 and went on to tie the knot in Hawaii in January 1994.
Their three children together Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe are now 25, 21, and 18-years-old respectively.
Bill, 65, tweeted on Monday: “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage.
(Image: Getty Images for Robin Hood)
“Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable people to lead healthy, productive lives.
“We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in the next phase of our lives.”
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
The statement went on: “We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life. – Melinda and Bill Gates”.
News of their high profile divorce follows that of Amazon founder and world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos’ split from his wife, MacKenzie.
Bill and Melinda launched their own foundation in 2000 and remain its co-chairs and trustees.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation explains its mission is: “To bring about the kinds of changes that will help people live healthier and more productive lives.
“Whether the challenge is low-yield crops in Africa or low graduation rates in Los Angeles, we listen and learn so we can identify pressing problems that get too little attention.
“Then we consider whether we can make a meaningful difference with our influence and our investments, whether it is a grant or a contract.”
The latest calculations rank Bill as the fourth richest person in the world with a net worth of $130 billion dollars.
He and Melinda, along with Warren Buffett, call on billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth to good causes via the Giving Pledge.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
