Received 17 Trillion Won Support from Bill Gates
Separate Charitable Activities Policy for Women and Gender Equality
Melinda Gates, the ex-wife of Microsoft (MS) founder Bill Gates, is leaving the world's largest charitable foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She intends to continue separate philanthropic efforts focused on women and families.
On the 13th (local time), Melinda announced via X (formerly Twitter), "After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation," adding, "The foundation is currently in the hands of excellent management and board, and it is time for me to move on to the next chapter of philanthropy."
She continued, "This is a critical moment for women and girls in the United States and around the world, and those fighting to protect and advance gender equality urgently need support," explaining the reason for her resignation. "Thanks to the terms of my agreement with Bill, I am able to contribute an additional $12.5 billion (approximately 17 trillion KRW) for these efforts."
Bill Gates also issued a separate statement, saying, "Melinda, as co-founder and co-chair of the Gates Foundation, played a vital role in shaping the organization's strategy and momentum," and added, "While I am saddened to see her go, I am confident she will have a significant impact on her future philanthropic endeavors."
Previously, when Melinda and Bill Gates divorced in 2021, they agreed that if she were to leave the foundation, she would receive separate funding from Bill for her philanthropic activities. Melinda's announcement to pursue separate philanthropy after leaving the Gates Foundation comes three years after their divorce.
The Gates Foundation, established jointly by Bill and Melinda Gates after their marriage in 2000, is the world's largest private charitable organization, with operating funds approaching $75 billion (approximately 100 trillion KRW). It has focused on global poverty alleviation and health improvement efforts, including malaria eradication in Africa and extensive investments in India and the South Asia region.
Meanwhile, Melinda has been dedicated to philanthropy, founding Pivotal Ventures in 2015, a charitable organization supporting the social advancement of women and minorities in the United States, and donating $1 billion. In 2012, she was named one of the world's most influential women by Forbes. Her estimated net worth is $13.3 billion (approximately 18.2 trillion KRW).
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