Bill Gates, formerly the wealthiest individual globally, has contributed $8 billion (£6.2bn) to a charitable organization owned by his former spouse Melinda. The co-founder of Microsoft made a generous donation of $7.88 billion to the Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation of Melinda French Gates in 2024, five years following their separation, as reported by The New York Times.
Recent tax documents have disclosed this substantial sum, marking it as one of the most significant public contributions ever documented, shedding light on the financial arrangements following the couple’s high-profile split in 2021.
In May 2024, Melinda departed from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and proposed that her ex-husband allocate $12.5 billion to a new charitable foundation she planned to establish.
According to a spokesperson for Pivotal, the financial agreement has been fulfilled, with the nearly $8 billion donation being a crucial component of it. By the end of 2023, Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation possessed $604 million.
The duo parted ways in 2021 after a 27-year marriage, triggering what is believed to be the most expensive divorce settlement ever, with Melinda reportedly receiving assets worth $76 billion.
Subsequently, revelations emerged about Bill Gates’ involvement with a Microsoft employee, which was disclosed months later. The employee had written to the company’s board of directors in 2019, divulging details about their relationship that started in 2000 and insisting that Melinda be informed.
Upon investigating the claims, the board concluded that the relationship was “inappropriate,” as reported by the Wall Street Journal at that time. In 2020, Gates abruptly resigned from the board while the inquiry was ongoing and awaiting a formal decision.
Additionally, two reports indicated Gates’ alleged habit of making advances towards employees at Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which he managed alongside his then-wife.
Another report suggested Gates’ acquaintance with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, starting from their first encounter in 2011. However, Gates previously clarified to PBS NewsHour that their meetings were limited and centered around philanthropic discussions, labeling it a “mistake” he regrets.
At 67, Mr. Gates continues to be a significant figure as the co-founder of the tech giant Microsoft, retaining substantial shares in the company and maintaining his status as one of the wealthiest individuals globally.