A couple that had built an empire together has now decided to take a separate path. Bill and Melinda Gates have been struggling for a long to improve their relationship. “Bill and I are equal partners” once said Melinda French Gates in an interview. But this partnership worked well for their foundation and not for their personal life.
The couple who were brought together because of similar interests in computers reached a point where divorce is the only option. However, things were different before and Bill’s idea of love and marriage was very serious.
A Netflix documentary produced by Davis Guggenheim is a reflection of the former world’s richest person. Here are the “Pros and cons of getting married” by Bill Gates.
Relationship Of Bill and Melinda Gates
Bill and Melinda met at a company’s dinner party after which they start dating each other. It was a casual relationship but after a year, Bill laid a marriage proposal that surprised Melinda.
It was a tough decision, however, as Bill was not sure about making that commitment. This could be seen in the whiteboard on which he wrote “pros and cons of getting married.”
Even Melinda during a Salesforce event said “It just started us on this series of questions of sort of saying to ourselves, ‘what is going on here?”
They tied the knot in 1994 and have three children.
Also Read: Bill, Melinda Gates part ways, $146 Billion at stake
Life of Bill and Melinda In Pictures
Wedding Moment
via:pinterest
Melinda’s Relationship With Mom
When I was growing up, my mom taught me that I could be anything I wanted and supported me along every step of my path. I can still count on her for help, whether I’m wrestling with a tough issue or just need somebody to talk to. Happy #MothersDay, Mom. pic.twitter.com/GT2CRIhXxl
— Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) May 13, 2018
Melinda Quit Microsoft Job For Kids
via:businessinsider
When Bill Gates Met Queen Elizabeth II
via:bbcnews
Awarded With France’s Highest Honor “The Legion D’Honneur”
via:bbcnews
Beginning of Bill and Gates foundation
- The two were also equally interested in philanthropist work which brought them further closer. They started a charitable trust in their names in 2000.
- After this, Bill resigned from the post of CEO of Microsoft and worked solely for the charitable foundation. Both have donated more than $36 billion to the foundation.
- In 2019, the net assets of the “Bill and Melinda Gates foundation” were disclosed as $43.3 billion.
- During a pandemic, the couple has helped with around $17.5 bn vaccine initiatives.
Apart from working for the good cause and helping people through the foundation, Melinda continued to work for women’s rights. She has also founded an investment company in 2015 that works for women and their families.
Future Of Gates Foundation
via:businessinsider
After the news of Bill and Melinda Gates divorce, the future of one of the world’s largest foundations is in trouble. However, the couple said they won’t let their decision affects the foundation and its mission.
The challenge lies in the separation of assets. Bill had already donated most of his stakes to the foundation and left with probably less than 20 percent of the total. The community property, however, will be shared between the two as per Washington law.