International: Melinda Gates leaves the philanthropic foundation founded with Bill Gates to set up her own foundation
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Los Angeles, United States
Melinda French Gates, who chaired one of the world’s most influential philanthropic foundations, announced on Monday May 13 that she would be leaving the organization, created with her now ex-husband, Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Mrs French Gates said on X that she was “immensely proud” of the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, created by the couple in 2000. Her last day with the organization, which is particularly committed to health and poverty reduction, will be June 7.
The foundation is one of the main donors to the World Health Organization (WHO) and exerts considerable influence on developing countries’ policies, particularly in the fields of health and education.
Among other things, its work has helped to reduce mortality from malaria and other infectious diseases.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates announced their intention to divorce in May 2021, after 27 years of marriage. The foundation said at the time that they would remain co-chairs of the organization.
“The time has come for me to embark on the next chapter of my philanthropy,” Mrs French Gates explained, adding that she would have $12.5 billion to commit “to women and families”.
“This departure had been marked out shortly after the announcement of the couple’s divorce”.
In July 2021, the foundation had issued a statement announcing that “if, after two years, either decides that they cannot continue to work together as co-chairs, Mrs. French Gates will resign her position”.
“In that event, Mrs. French Gates will receive personal resources from Mr. Gates for her philanthropic work,” the organization already anticipated.
Before embarking on her philanthropic career, Mrs. French Gates worked as a computer programmer and then as a marketing manager at Microsoft.
Bill Gates hailed his ex-wife’s “essential contributions” to the foundation on Monday.
“I’m sorry to see Melinda go, but I’m sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work,” the billionaire, one of the founders of the computer giant based near Seattle, said on X.
He will remain “fully committed” to the foundation, he added.
Following his departure, the organization will be renamed the Gates Foundation, according to its executive director, Mark Suzman.
Since its creation in 2000, the organization has spent $53.8 billion, according to its website. This sum has contributed to the halving of under-five mortality since 1990.
By 2023, the foundation had funded projects in 48 US states and 135 countries worldwide.
In addition to Bill Gates’ personal fortune, the organization has also been largely funded by American billionaire and businessman Warren Buffet.
Humaniterre with AFP
