Melinda French Gates has announced her resignation as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization she co-founded with her ex-husband Bill Gates in 2000. Her last day at the foundation will be June 7, and the organization will change its name to the Gates Foundation. This decision was not made lightly, but French Gates expressed pride in the work the foundation has done to address inequities globally, stating that she is leaving with full confidence that the foundation is in strong shape.
Bill Gates thanked French Gates for her contributions to the foundation from its inception, recognizing her instrumental role in shaping strategies related to global health and gender equality. While he is saddened to see her leave, Gates remains fully committed to the work of the foundation. French Gates will not be taking any of the foundation’s work with her when she departs, and Bill Gates will become the sole chair of the organization. Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, described French Gates’ departure as “very sad news” and acknowledged her significant influence on the foundation’s accomplishments over the years.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, established through the consolidation of multiple charitable organizations supported by the Gates family and Microsoft, has become the world’s largest charitable foundation and a leader in global health initiatives. The future of the foundation came into question following the announcement of the divorce between Bill and Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage in May 2021. In July 2021, the foundation announced a two-year trial period to evaluate the effectiveness of the couple working together on philanthropic projects.
French Gates’ decision to step down from the foundation will provide her with $12.5 billion for her own philanthropic endeavors, which could be channeled through Pivotal Ventures, an independent executive office she established in 2015. The organization has allowed her to pursue initiatives that do not align with the Gates Foundation’s structure. Despite the divorce, both Bill and Melinda Gates have expressed a commitment to ensuring the foundation’s continuity and success. While Bill Gates predicted that the foundation could wind down in 25 years, Melinda Gates countered by noting that governance documents stipulate it will last until 20 years after the death of the last of them. French Gates’ philanthropic efforts through Pivotal Ventures have focused on empowering women and families, supporting women in politics, and promoting policy.
The dynamics of philanthropy among former tech moguls have come into focus in recent years, particularly with the divorces of Bill and Melinda Gates and Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott. While Scott has made significant charitable contributions, French Gates’ exit from the Gates Foundation signifies a shift in her philanthropic focus towards initiatives aligned with Pivotal Ventures. The future of the Gates Foundation remains in the hands of Bill Gates, who will now serve as the sole chair following French Gates’ departure. French Gates’ decision to step down reflects her desire to pursue philanthropic efforts independently while leaving behind a legacy of impactful work at the Gates Foundation over the past 24 years.
