In a significant announcement, billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates revealed her decision to resign as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a position she has held since its inception in 2000 alongside her then-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
In a statement posted on Monday, Ms Gates expressed the weightiness of her decision and shared that her last day at the foundation would be on June 7th.
“After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. My last day at the foundation will be June 7th.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 globally, and everyone who is touched by its work,” Ms Gates wrote.
The foundation, renowned as the largest private philanthropic organization globally, boasts an endowment of over $75 billion and channels its resources into initiatives addressing infectious diseases, poverty alleviation, and climate change.
The divorce of the Gates couple in 2021 did not initially affect their roles within the foundation.
However, Melinda’s departure marks a significant shift, although she affirmed her commitment to continue her philanthropic endeavors independently, particularly focusing on initiatives supporting women and families.
Ms Gates noted that she trust the leadership of the foundation to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Suzman, the Executive Leadership Team, and an experienced board of trustees in place to ensure all its important work continues.
She noted that the time is right for her to move forward into the next chapter of her philanthropy.
“This is a critical moment for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, and those fighting to protect and advance equality are in urgent need of support. Under the terms of my agreement with Bill, in leaving the foundation, I will have an additional $12.5 billion to commit to my work on behalf of women and families. I’ll be sharing more about what that will look like in the near future,” Ms Gates noted.
The Gates Foundation’s impact spans globally, with over $54.8 billion in grants dispersed to initiatives across 135 countries.
Despite the impending change in leadership, the foundation’s mission to effect positive change in global health and social welfare is expected to persist, underscoring its enduring legacy and commitment to philanthropy.