Melinda Gates Resigning from Bill Philanthropy
Melinda French Gates, a leading figure in global philanthropy, announced her decision to step down from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the charitable organization she co-founded with her former husband Bill Gates.
This news comes three years after the couple's highly publicized divorce.
Today @MelindaGates announced her decision to resign from her role as Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to focus on the next chapter of her philanthropy. Her last day of work at the foundation will be June 7.
I truly admire Melinda, and the critical role she has…
— Mark Suzman (@MSuzman) May 13, 2024
Source: Twitter/Mark Suzman
Melinda Gates Resigning: A New Chapter in Philanthropy
French Gates, a co-chair of the foundation since its inception in 2000, will dedicate her efforts to launching her own philanthropic endeavor focused on empowering women and families worldwide. She will leverage a $12.5 billion grant allocated as part of her divorce settlement to fund these initiatives.
"I will provide further details on my plans in the near future," French Gates stated in a LinkedIn post.
Melinda Gates Resigning: A Legacy of Shared Success
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, known for its significant contributions to global health and development efforts, has donated nearly $54 billion since its creation. Bill Gates will assume the sole chair position following French Gates' departure, and the foundation will be renamed simply the Gates Foundation.
French Gates' leadership at the foundation was instrumental in establishing core initiatives focused on women's empowerment. She played a crucial role in shaping the foundation's strategies and raising awareness for critical issues like malaria and HIV/AIDS on global platforms.
Melinda Gates Resigning: Stepping Out of a Shadow
Despite her significant contributions, French Gates previously acknowledged feeling overshadowed by her then-husband's immense public profile. In a 2006 interview, she highlighted the public's tendency to primarily associate the foundation with Bill Gates.
While the couple initially planned to continue their collaborative philanthropic efforts after their 2021 separation, French Gates' decision marks a significant shift. Together, they had contributed over $36 billion to the foundation over two decades.
Melinda Gates Resigning: Moving Forward with Shared Goals
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates both expressed appreciation for each other's contributions to global health and gender equality. Despite regrets over French Gates' departure from the foundation they co-founded, they both conveyed confidence in her future philanthropic endeavors.
French Gates emphasized her commitment to advancing women's equality globally and the urgent need for support in this endeavor. Through her organization, Pivotal Ventures, founded in 2015, she aims to accelerate social progress by addressing racial inequities, promoting paid leave policies, and encouraging women's leadership in public service.
French Gates' resignation marks a new phase in global philanthropy, allowing her to pursue her unique vision of empowering women and families worldwide.
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