Bill Gates and his wife Melinda French Gates via Twitter on Monday revealed that they will split up after 27 years.
The two will keep working together on philanthropic efforts, which have addressed education, gender equality and health care.
“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” Bill and Melinda Gates wrote in a statement that Bill Gates tweeted out.
The statement added;
“Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all 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 this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.”
The decision reflects a personal change at the top of American business.
Bill Gates led Microsoft as CEO from its founding with Paul Allen in 1975 until 2000, leaving
Steve Ballmer to run the company, while Bill Gates became chairman and chief software architect.
Last year Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft’s board as the coronavirus became a force around the world.
He began spending more time on the foundation alongside Melinda Gates.
The two are co-chairs and trustees of the foundation, which launched in 2000.
The two met at a dinner for Microsoft employees in 1987.
