*Bill and Melinda Gates, with estimated $146 billion assets, are ending their matrimonial union after 27 years, but say they will continue to work together at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the continued good of all people in the world

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

In spite of the unexpected announcement Monday, May 3, 2021, that Bill and Melinda Gates are ending their matrimonial union after 27 years of marriage, the couple has pledged to continue to work together at the Bill and Melinda Gates for the good of humanity around the world.

绿帽献妻 reports Bill and Melinda Gates, who for decades have overseen one of history鈥檚 greatest fortunes and philanthropic operations, have said they plan to divorce.

It was also gathered the announcement Monday that the couple is splitting after 27 years apparently has the power to ripple through the global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry.

Hitherto, Bill and Melinda Gates had administered a vast portfolio of business and real estate holdings and into the realms of global health, climate change policy and social issues including equality for women the duo have administered together thus far.

The two partners, with estimated $146 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, have made no public hint of their financial plans, though they stressed that they would cooperate on continuing their philanthropy via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In a brief statement posted on Twitter, they both said: 聽鈥淎fter a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage.

鈥淲e have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives.鈥�

Bill Gates, the 65-year-old Co-Founder of Microsoft Corporation, ranks as the world鈥檚 fourth-richest person.

Melinda Gates, 56, is a former Microsoft Manager who has gained international prominence co-running the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It鈥檚 already given away more than $50 billion.

A spokesperson for the philanthropic organisation in an e-mailed statement wrote that they will remain co-chairs and trustees of the Foundation.

The statement noted: 鈥淣o changes to their roles or the organisation are planned.

鈥淭hey will continue to work together to shape and approve foundation strategies, advocate for the Foundation鈥檚 issues, and set the organisation鈥檚 overall direction.鈥�

The couple filed for divorce in King County on Monday, an online search of court dockets shows.

They have a separation agreement, according to a copy of a divorce petition posted by the website TMZ, which doesn鈥檛 elaborate on the terms.

It calls Bill and Melinda Gates鈥� marriage 鈥渋rretrievably broken.鈥�

Observers have considered theirs as the second bombshell divorce among the uppermost ranks of the world鈥檚 richest people in recent years, following the 2019 separation announcement of Amazon Chief Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott.

Incidentally, that split, which divided the couple鈥檚 stake in Amazon.com Incorporated immediately, made MacKenzie one of the world鈥檚 richest people.

In the months that followed, she became one of the most influential philanthropists in the world, giving away billions of Dollars to often overlooked causes among billionaire donors.