In a landmark financial move following one of the world's most high-profile divorces, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has transferred a staggering $8 billion to his former wife, Melinda French Gates. This colossal donation forms a key part of the couple's ongoing separation agreement, five years after their split.
The Details of the Multi-Billion Dollar Transfer
According to a report by The New York Times, Gates made the donation, specifically $7.88 billion, to the Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, which is controlled by Melinda. This action is understood to be a component of the enormous divorce settlement the pair agreed upon. The transaction comes after Melinda's resignation from the joint Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in May 2024, a charity they had overseen together for decades.
Following her departure, Melinda reportedly suggested that her ex-husband contribute $12.5 billion to a new charitable foundation she planned to establish. The recently revealed $8 billion gift appears to be the initial instalment of that proposed philanthropic pledge.
A Partnership Dissolved: Marriage, Divorce, and Controversy
Bill and Melinda Gates were married in 1994 and announced their separation in 2021, after raising three children together. The dissolution of their 27-year marriage was fraught with controversy. Melinda publicly condemned Gates over his extramarital affairs and his close friendship with the convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
While Gates has expressed deep regret over his association with Epstein, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The couple's divorce was finalised against this backdrop of personal and reputational scrutiny, with their vast fortune and philanthropic empire requiring careful division.
The Future of Gates Philanthropy
This multi-billion dollar transfer signals a new chapter for both individuals' charitable endeavours. With Melinda now steering her own philanthropic ship through Pivotal Philanthropies, and Bill remaining a major force in global health and development through their original foundation, the impact of their wealth will continue to be felt worldwide, albeit through separate channels.
The scale of this donation underscores the unprecedented nature of their divorce settlement and reshapes the landscape of modern philanthropy. Observers will be watching closely to see how Melinda deploys these vast new resources and whether further financial movements between the ex-couple will follow.
