Melinda French Gates has shared that her ex-husband, Bill Gates, did not consult her before announcing his plan to donate nearly all of their foundation’s $200 billion fortune by 2045. Bill Gates, 69, recently revealed his intention to donate 99% of his wealth over the next two decades, which would lead to the closure of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045. He intends to keep only 1% of his fortune, approximately $1.62 billion.
Melinda explained that the decision was made after she left the foundation in 2024 and was discussed solely among Bill, the CEO, Mark Suzman, and the foundation’s board. Although she wasn’t part of the decision-making process, Melinda expressed her support for the move, noting that giving back to society had always been their shared goal.
While Bill focuses on his philanthropic endeavors, Melinda now leads her own venture, Pivotal Ventures, which supports women and girls. She remained co-chair of the foundation for three years after their divorce in 2021. Recently, Melinda has been promoting her memoir, which delves into her personal growth and the high-profile split from Bill.
In a recent interview on The Late Show, Melinda revealed that the marriage ended due to issues with honesty and trust, citing Bill’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein as a significant factor in their divorce. Bill has acknowledged mistakes during their marriage but has not publicly addressed claims of infidelity.
