Melinda French Gates has announced her resignation as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a role she has held since its inception in 2000. The decision comes as part of her separation agreement from former husband Bill Gates, with an additional $12.5 billion allocated for her independent philanthropic endeavors, primarily targeting initiatives supporting women and families.

In a statement released on Monday, French Gates expressed the weightiness of her decision, emphasizing her immense pride in the foundation’s accomplishments in addressing global inequities. Effective June 7, she will step down from her position, leaving Bill Gates as the sole chair of the organization, which will be renamed the Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates echoed his sentiments in a separate statement, expressing regret over Melinda’s departure but anticipating significant contributions from her future charitable pursuits. Despite the transition, he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the foundation’s mission and its ongoing efforts to enhance millions of lives worldwide.

French Gates’ departure follows the announcement of their divorce in May 2021, with the couple granting themselves a trial period until 2023 to assess their collaborative capacity within the foundation. Mark Suzman, the foundation’s CEO, had previously outlined a contingency plan to ensure operational continuity in the event of their separation, confirming that Bill Gates would retain control while providing separate resources for Melinda’s philanthropic ventures.

While the foundation did not immediately respond to CNN inquiries, French Gates pledged to disclose further details regarding her future charitable endeavors in the coming days, signaling a new chapter in her impactful journey of social empowerment and equality.

Credit: CNN