Melinda French Gates Steps Down from Leadership Role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Melinda French Gates announced on Monday that she will step down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a position she has held since 2000.

As part of her agreement following her divorce from Bill Gates, French Gates will be receiving an extra $12.5 billion for her philanthropic efforts. She intends to prioritize supporting organizations that work towards empowering women and families.

"I didn't make this decision easily," she mentioned in a statement on X. "I am very proud of the foundation that Bill and I created together and the amazing work it is doing to tackle inequalities globally."

French Gates announced her intention to depart from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on June 7. She will reveal more about her upcoming charitable endeavors soon.

The organization will now be known as the Gates Foundation, with Bill Gates taking over as the sole chair, as announced by the foundation’s CEO, Mark Suzman on Monday.

Bill Gates expressed his regret at Melinda's departure, but he is confident that she will continue to make a significant difference in her future philanthropic endeavors. This statement was also shared on X on Monday.

"Moving forward, I am dedicated to supporting the Foundation's efforts in all our focus areas. I am excited about the potential we have to make a positive impact on the lives of people worldwide," he stated.

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French Gates had been hinting at leaving for a few years. In May 2021, Bill Gates and French Gates shared the news of their divorce. They mentioned they would give themselves until 2023 to see if they could still work together to manage their large charity foundation.

In July 2021, Suzman revealed a backup plan to make sure the foundation's projects would keep going smoothly.

"If after two years either decides they cannot continue to work together as co-chairs, French Gates will resign her position as co-chair and trustee," Suzman said.

Suzman mentioned that Gates will continue to be in charge and essentially buy out French Gates from the foundation. French Gates would then receive personal resources from Gates for her own philanthropic endeavors, which would be completely separate from the foundation's endowment.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to improving healthcare, expanding educational opportunities, and alleviating poverty in developing nations through grants and assistance to different programs and groups globally.

In 2015, French Gates established Pivotal Ventures, a separate charity aimed at breaking down obstacles for minorities and women in the United States. She made a $1 billion commitment to the organization in 2019.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Additional reporting by Nicole Goodkind.

Editor's P/S:

The news of Melinda French Gates' departure from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation marks a significant shift in the philanthropic landscape. Her decision to prioritize organizations that empower women and families aligns with her long-standing advocacy for gender equality and social justice. It will be fascinating to see how her future endeavors unfold, and what impact her additional resources will have on these crucial causes.

The foundation's transition to the Gates Foundation, with Bill Gates as sole chair, raises questions about the future direction of its work. While Bill Gates has expressed his commitment to the foundation's mission, it remains to be seen how his leadership will shape its priorities and strategies. The foundation's legacy has been built on the collaboration and shared vision of Bill and Melinda Gates, and it will be interesting to observe how it evolves in the years to come.