Melinda French Gates has officially resigned from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she served for nearly 25 years. In a letter shared on social media, she expressed her gratitude for the work done at the foundation and the talented and caring individuals she had the privilege of working with. French Gates co-founded the foundation in 2000 with her then-husband Bill Gates, and it has since become the world’s largest charitable foundation with an endowment of over $75 billion and more than 2,000 employees.
Following her divorce from Bill Gates in May 2021, French Gates announced her resignation from the foundation and her plans to commit $12.5 billion from the divorce settlement to her work on behalf of women and families. This decision marks a new chapter for French Gates, who is focusing on supporting programs and initiatives that empower women and improve family well-being. Despite leaving the foundation, she remains committed to working towards a healthier, more equal future for all individuals.
French Gates’ decision to step down from the foundation comes with the announcement of $1 billion in grants over the next two years to support programs and individuals working on women’s and family issues. She is utilizing her independent company, Pivotal Ventures, created in 2015, to deploy these funds and continue her advocacy for gender equality and family well-being. The foundation also announced a name change to the Gates Foundation following French Gates’ resignation.
In her letter, French Gates reflected on the impact of her work at the foundation and expressed a mix of emotions as she bids farewell to her colleagues and the organization she helped build. She acknowledges the significant role her colleagues played in her life and the deep connections formed over the past two decades. French Gates remains dedicated to continuing the work she cares about and fighting for a better future for everyone, despite stepping away from her role at the foundation.
French Gates’ departure from the foundation marks the end of an era but also a new beginning as she focuses on her independent initiatives and commits to supporting women and families around the world. Her dedication to gender equality and family well-being remains unwavering, and she is determined to continue making a positive impact through her philanthropic efforts. French Gates’ legacy at the foundation will be remembered for its significant contributions to global health and well-being, as well as its ongoing commitment to creating a more equal and prosperous future for all.
