Melinda French Gates Quits the Gates Foundation

Melinda French Gates — Bill Gates’ ex-wife — confirmed that she is leaving the foundation she co-founded with him more than 25 years ago.

After 25 years leading the foundation, Melinda summed up her tenure with a single word: “gratitude. (Photo: Gates Foundation)

The announcement has shaken the philanthropic world. Over that time, the foundation has donated more than $78 billion and become a global reference point, Union Rayo reported.

While her departure may seem personal following her divorce, it is in fact a “strategic” change.

French Gates said she wants to focus all her efforts on defending women’s rights, particularly in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

After 25 years leading the foundation, Melinda summed up her tenure with a single word: “gratitude.”

She told staff, “Before ending my last day at the foundation, I wanted to thank each one of you for the role you played during my time here and for all the work we did together.”

She did not leave empty-handed.

Her departure included the decision to allocate $12.5 billion to a new foundation focused on projects supporting women around the world. The move underscores her commitment to equality while marking a new direction in her career.

The Roe v. Wade case, decided in 1973, recognized women’s right to abortion as part of their right to privacy. For nearly 50 years, it guaranteed nationwide access to abortion until its reversal in 2022, which left regulation to individual states.

French Gates could have ended her tenure with anger or sadness.

Instead, she spoke of pride in the work accomplished, gratitude toward her colleagues, and hope for what lies ahead. If she had to choose just one word to define her exit, she chose “gratitude.”