Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he is proud of what he and Melinda Gates have accomplished over nearly three decades.
Bill and Melinda Gates are splitting up after 27 years of marriage
The tech billionaire wrote a joint statement on Twitter, “After much thought and hard work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage.”
“For 27 years, we have raised three children and built a foundation that works around the world so that all people can lead healthy lives.”
“We continue to share a belief in this mission and will continue to work together on it, but we do not believe we can continue to grow as a couple in this next phase of our lives.”
“We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.”
They have founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which explains that its goals are “to improve people’s health and the possibility of leaving hunger and extreme poverty behind in developing countries.”
The Foundation has also invested billions of dollars in fighting infectious diseases and obtaining vaccines for children in need.
The couple met in the late 1980s when Melinda joined her husband’s Microsoft company before marrying in 1994.
Bill has stated his concern about the coronavirus pandemic.
He went on to say that the world must now start thinking about the future and not forget about the pandemic.
I am very pleased that the UK is making pandemic preparedness, both to end it and to think about what comes next, a real priority.”