After more than two decades, Melinda French Gates will be stepping down as the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which she co-founded with her ex-husband Bill Gates. In a letter to staff, she expressed a mix of emotions, including sadness at saying goodbye, pride in their accomplishments, and excitement for the future. French Gates has been a leader in the foundation since 2000, overseeing nearly $78 billion in grant payments over the past 25 years.
French Gates emphasized the importance of the impact that the foundation and its partners have had in the world, including improvements in child health, women’s financial independence, and agricultural productivity. Despite the distance from their day-to-day activities, she reassured employees that the impact is real and credited them for their contributions. French Gates spoke about the significance of their work and the positive change that has been achieved as a result of their efforts.
The decision for French Gates to leave the foundation had been anticipated in light of her divorce from Bill Gates in May 2021. They had initially agreed to a trial period through 2023 to assess their ability to work together, but she ultimately announced her departure last month. As part of her separation agreement, French Gates will receive an additional $12.5 billion for her own charitable work, separate from the foundation.
French Gates explained that her decision to leave the foundation was influenced by the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022, which allowed individual states to determine abortion rights. Feeling the need to support reproductive rights domestically as well as internationally, she announced plans to donate $1 billion through 2026 to advance women’s rights through her organization, Pivotal Ventures. This includes $200 million in grants to organizations advocating for women’s reproductive rights.
In her farewell message, French Gates expressed her continued commitment to advancing the causes that she cares about and fighting for a healthier, more prosperous, and more equal future for all. She emphasized that while one chapter may be ending, her work will continue, and she will remain dedicated to the issues that are important to her. French Gates is determined to make a difference in the world and contribute to positive change in society.
Overall, Melinda French Gates is stepping down from her role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reflecting on the accomplishments of the organization and looking forward to the future. She is leaving to focus on her own charitable work, particularly in the area of reproductive rights, following recent events in the United States. French Gates remains committed to her mission of advocating for women’s rights and fighting for a more inclusive and equitable world.
